POLICY
JAKARTA (FORESTHINTS.NEWS) - Indonesia and Norway hailed a new climate and forest partnership which they have entered into with the signing of an MoU at the Manggala Wanabakti Building, Jakarta (Sep 12).
The new partnership, intended to support Indonesia’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from forestry and other land use (FOLU), represents due recognition of Indonesia’s forest policy centrepiece, its “FOLU Net Sink 2030 Operational Plan”.
This ambitious plan aims to achieve a net sink in the forestry and other land use sector by reducing emissions from deforestation, forest degradation and carbon-rich peatlands, while simultaneously absorbing more carbon through the restoration of forests, peatlands and mangroves.
The ground-breaking new partnership not only encompasses a results-based model, but also extends to broader engagement between the two countries in forest and climate-related issues in Indonesia.
Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya and Norwegian Minister for Climate and the Environment Espen Barth Eide both delivered remarks at the signing ceremony of the MoU. Also present at the event was Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Retno Marsudi.
Minister Nurbaya and her Norwegian counterpart had just returned from a field trip to the new Indonesian capital city of Nusantara in Kalimantan where they observed point zero of the new capital, 70% of which is targeted to comprise forest cover.
While there, the ministers also had the opportunity to visit a mangrove rehabilitation site. Carbon absorption by mangroves is, among other things, central to Indonesia’s efforts to reach a net carbon sink by 2030.
More than a partnership
Minister Nurbaya praised the sincerity shown by Minister Eide in his desire for the two countries to embark on a new climate collaboration as leading countries and equals, and expressed a similar eagerness for the partnership on her own part.
“This MoU represents more than just a partnership. It is in fact a new milestone marking the resumption of a solid bilateral relationship on climate and forest issues. We are aiming to build an even stronger friendship, while retaining the enthusiasm and mutual trust necessary to deliver concrete and effective climate actions on the ground.”
Noting the significance of the MoU signing, as well as the importance of good governance, Minister Nurbaya continued, “The MoU is to emphasize the importance of deliverable, tangible, direct benefits for the community and for the progress of Indonesia pursuant to the prevailing governance. Mindful of this, governance in various activities is indeed essential to the principles of being transparent, accountable, inclusive, as well as participatory.”
The signing of the MoU constitutes a watershed moment, particularly as it relates to Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 climate goal.
“Considering that Indonesia's FOLU Net Sink 2030 is projected to account for nearly 60% of the country’s total emissions reduction target, this MoU will also contribute to achieving the FOLU Net Sink 2030 climate goal,” Minister Nurbaya explained.
Global leader
Minister Eide lauded the indispensable role that Indonesia plays in the fight against the climate crisis and acknowledged that the tropical country is already a global leader in reducing deforestation.
“Indonesia’s efforts deserve recognition and praise. I am therefore very happy to be here today and to learn not only about Indonesia’s impressive results, but also the efforts behind those results and their ambitious plans as outlined under the comprehensive FOLU Net Sink 2030 Operational Plan.”
Deforestation in Indonesia has decreased consistently over the past six years, down almost 90% to 115,500 hectares in 2019/2020 – the lowest level in twenty years – from 1.09 million hectares in 2014/2015.
Despite the economic pressures it faces, Indonesia is seeking to reduce deforestation to the extent where forest regrowth annually removes 140 million tons of CO2 more than the remaining emissions from the use of forest and peatland by the end of the decade.
Minister Eide made a point of singling out Minister Nurbaya for the personal role she has played in the planning and creation of the new partnership, before expressing his appreciation of Indonesia’s overall efforts and achievements.
“Indonesia is a global leader in reducing deforestation, delivering globally significant climate mitigation and biodiversity protection. Its success is a result of strong government policies. Today we are proud to embark on a new partnership to support the Indonesian government’s impressive results and ambitious plans.”
Meanwhile, both ministers remarked on Indonesia’s persistent efforts to boost the participation of adat communities in the country’s FOLU sector.
“(Given) the critical role played by local and adat communities, as well as various other stakeholders, as active participants in strategies to protect forests and reduce forest and land use emissions, Norway is therefore pleased to support the FOLU Net Sink 2030 Operational Plan, which will ensure the full and effective participation of all relevant stakeholders, including local and adat communities,” Minister Eide enthused.
Contribution agreement
The signing of the MoU is to be followed-up with the signing of a results-based contribution agreement in 3-4 weeks outlining the terms and payment mechanisms for the results-based contributions from prior years (as well as going forward), based on the existing and a mutually-agreed updated MRV protocol.
Norway also strongly commended Indonesia on its emissions reduction plans, most notably its remarkable deforestation efforts, pointing to the following in particular:
• Robust monitoring system of forested lands;
• Implementation of a permanent moratorium on new concessions in areas of primary forests and peatlands;
• Improved regulatory enforcement and firefighting capacities;
• Working with the agricultural sector to facilitate increased land-based productivity;
• Expansion of social forestry programs and recognition of community rights to manage forests.
Wide-ranging partnership
The new partnership will see the ministers meeting regularly to discuss it and other climate and forest-related issues in support of Indonesia’s implementation of the FOLU Net Sink 2030 Operational Plan.
Both Minister Nurbaya and Minister Eide were keen to stress that the new partnership will extend beyond just a results-based agreement.
“(The MoU) encompasses a broader engagement on climate and forest issues in Indonesia. As such, it is essential that we work together very closely to ensure that the MoU is implemented in a comprehensive and effective manner, so that our joint climate actions and common climate goals are not merely confined to paper,” Minister Nurbaya explained.
According to Minister Eide, “the new partnership will support Indonesia’s continuous efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from forests and other land use through the implementation of Indonesia’s ambitious goal of net sink emissions for the forestry and other land use sector by 2030.”
Before thanking Minister Nurbaya for her gracious hospitality, Minister Eide said, “I am confident that we will continue to build on the friendship between us to develop new areas of collaboration, to the benefit of future generations.”
Minister Nurbaya, meanwhile, concluded her remarks by expressing her hope that the valuable lessons learned in the past by the two countries will serve as a positive foundation on which to construct a robust and enduring partnership and friendship.
Brighter, Stronger bilateral cooperation
In her brief remarks, Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi welcomed her Norwegian colleague Minister Eide and said his homeland was among Indonesia's most important partners in Northern Europe.
The Minister also mentioned the cooperation that Indonesia and Norway had enjoyed on the environment with the REDD+ agreement from 2010 including the many great lessons learned, lamenting that the countries had been unable to carry on with this cooperation.
In September last year, Indonesia issued a Note Verbale to terminate this climate partnership with Norway.
“(However) today we embark on a new page of our bilateral relations. The signing of this MoU supporting the implementation of Indonesia’s Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) Operational Plan will hopefully herald a fresh start for our environmental cooperation,” the Minister said.
“It reflects our shared view on the importance of having a strong foundation based on trust, respect and equality,” she added.
The Foreign Minister expressed her hope that the new MoU will mark the start of a brighter and stronger climate partnership between Indonesia and Norway.
Minister Marsudi went on to emphasize Minister Nurbaya’s determination to ensure that Indonesia achieves its NDC targets in the Paris Agreement as well as President Jokowi’s personal attachment to climate issues, before wrapping up by reaffirming Indonesia’s commitment and seriousness about these issues.
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POLICY
JAKARTA (FORESTHINTS.NEWS) - Indonesia and Norway hailed a new climate and forest partnership which they have entered into with the signing of an MoU at the Manggala Wanabakti Building, Jakarta (Sep 12).
The new partnership, intended to support Indonesia’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from forestry and other land use (FOLU), represents due recognition of Indonesia’s forest policy centrepiece, its “FOLU Net Sink 2030 Operational Plan”.
This ambitious plan aims to achieve a net sink in the forestry and other land use sector by reducing emissions from deforestation, forest degradation and carbon-rich peatlands, while simultaneously absorbing more carbon through the restoration of forests, peatlands and mangroves.
The ground-breaking new partnership not only encompasses a results-based model, but also extends to broader engagement between the two countries in forest and climate-related issues in Indonesia.
Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya and Norwegian Minister for Climate and the Environment Espen Barth Eide both delivered remarks at the signing ceremony of the MoU. Also present at the event was Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Retno Marsudi.
Minister Nurbaya and her Norwegian counterpart had just returned from a field trip to the new Indonesian capital city of Nusantara in Kalimantan where they observed point zero of the new capital, 70% of which is targeted to comprise forest cover.
While there, the ministers also had the opportunity to visit a mangrove rehabilitation site. Carbon absorption by mangroves is, among other things, central to Indonesia’s efforts to reach a net carbon sink by 2030.
More than a partnership
Minister Nurbaya praised the sincerity shown by Minister Eide in his desire for the two countries to embark on a new climate collaboration as leading countries and equals, and expressed a similar eagerness for the partnership on her own part.
“This MoU represents more than just a partnership. It is in fact a new milestone marking the resumption of a solid bilateral relationship on climate and forest issues. We are aiming to build an even stronger friendship, while retaining the enthusiasm and mutual trust necessary to deliver concrete and effective climate actions on the ground.”
Noting the significance of the MoU signing, as well as the importance of good governance, Minister Nurbaya continued, “The MoU is to emphasize the importance of deliverable, tangible, direct benefits for the community and for the progress of Indonesia pursuant to the prevailing governance. Mindful of this, governance in various activities is indeed essential to the principles of being transparent, accountable, inclusive, as well as participatory.”
The signing of the MoU constitutes a watershed moment, particularly as it relates to Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 climate goal.
“Considering that Indonesia's FOLU Net Sink 2030 is projected to account for nearly 60% of the country’s total emissions reduction target, this MoU will also contribute to achieving the FOLU Net Sink 2030 climate goal,” Minister Nurbaya explained.
Global leader
Minister Eide lauded the indispensable role that Indonesia plays in the fight against the climate crisis and acknowledged that the tropical country is already a global leader in reducing deforestation.
“Indonesia’s efforts deserve recognition and praise. I am therefore very happy to be here today and to learn not only about Indonesia’s impressive results, but also the efforts behind those results and their ambitious plans as outlined under the comprehensive FOLU Net Sink 2030 Operational Plan.”
Deforestation in Indonesia has decreased consistently over the past six years, down almost 90% to 115,500 hectares in 2019/2020 – the lowest level in twenty years – from 1.09 million hectares in 2014/2015.
Despite the economic pressures it faces, Indonesia is seeking to reduce deforestation to the extent where forest regrowth annually removes 140 million tons of CO2 more than the remaining emissions from the use of forest and peatland by the end of the decade.
Minister Eide made a point of singling out Minister Nurbaya for the personal role she has played in the planning and creation of the new partnership, before expressing his appreciation of Indonesia’s overall efforts and achievements.
“Indonesia is a global leader in reducing deforestation, delivering globally significant climate mitigation and biodiversity protection. Its success is a result of strong government policies. Today we are proud to embark on a new partnership to support the Indonesian government’s impressive results and ambitious plans.”
Meanwhile, both ministers remarked on Indonesia’s persistent efforts to boost the participation of adat communities in the country’s FOLU sector.
“(Given) the critical role played by local and adat communities, as well as various other stakeholders, as active participants in strategies to protect forests and reduce forest and land use emissions, Norway is therefore pleased to support the FOLU Net Sink 2030 Operational Plan, which will ensure the full and effective participation of all relevant stakeholders, including local and adat communities,” Minister Eide enthused.
Contribution agreement
The signing of the MoU is to be followed-up with the signing of a results-based contribution agreement in 3-4 weeks outlining the terms and payment mechanisms for the results-based contributions from prior years (as well as going forward), based on the existing and a mutually-agreed updated MRV protocol.
Norway also strongly commended Indonesia on its emissions reduction plans, most notably its remarkable deforestation efforts, pointing to the following in particular:
• Robust monitoring system of forested lands;
• Implementation of a permanent moratorium on new concessions in areas of primary forests and peatlands;
• Improved regulatory enforcement and firefighting capacities;
• Working with the agricultural sector to facilitate increased land-based productivity;
• Expansion of social forestry programs and recognition of community rights to manage forests.
Wide-ranging partnership
The new partnership will see the ministers meeting regularly to discuss it and other climate and forest-related issues in support of Indonesia’s implementation of the FOLU Net Sink 2030 Operational Plan.
Both Minister Nurbaya and Minister Eide were keen to stress that the new partnership will extend beyond just a results-based agreement.
“(The MoU) encompasses a broader engagement on climate and forest issues in Indonesia. As such, it is essential that we work together very closely to ensure that the MoU is implemented in a comprehensive and effective manner, so that our joint climate actions and common climate goals are not merely confined to paper,” Minister Nurbaya explained.
According to Minister Eide, “the new partnership will support Indonesia’s continuous efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from forests and other land use through the implementation of Indonesia’s ambitious goal of net sink emissions for the forestry and other land use sector by 2030.”
Before thanking Minister Nurbaya for her gracious hospitality, Minister Eide said, “I am confident that we will continue to build on the friendship between us to develop new areas of collaboration, to the benefit of future generations.”
Minister Nurbaya, meanwhile, concluded her remarks by expressing her hope that the valuable lessons learned in the past by the two countries will serve as a positive foundation on which to construct a robust and enduring partnership and friendship.
Brighter, Stronger bilateral cooperation
In her brief remarks, Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi welcomed her Norwegian colleague Minister Eide and said his homeland was among Indonesia's most important partners in Northern Europe.
The Minister also mentioned the cooperation that Indonesia and Norway had enjoyed on the environment with the REDD+ agreement from 2010 including the many great lessons learned, lamenting that the countries had been unable to carry on with this cooperation.
In September last year, Indonesia issued a Note Verbale to terminate this climate partnership with Norway.
“(However) today we embark on a new page of our bilateral relations. The signing of this MoU supporting the implementation of Indonesia’s Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) Operational Plan will hopefully herald a fresh start for our environmental cooperation,” the Minister said.
“It reflects our shared view on the importance of having a strong foundation based on trust, respect and equality,” she added.
The Foreign Minister expressed her hope that the new MoU will mark the start of a brighter and stronger climate partnership between Indonesia and Norway.
Minister Marsudi went on to emphasize Minister Nurbaya’s determination to ensure that Indonesia achieves its NDC targets in the Paris Agreement as well as President Jokowi’s personal attachment to climate issues, before wrapping up by reaffirming Indonesia’s commitment and seriousness about these issues.
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