WWF welcomes landmark Norway, Indonesia agreement on deforestation

[pampango]

Source: World Wildlife Fund

WWF welcomed Wednesday’s announcement that Norway will provide USD 1 billion to support Indonesia’s efforts to reduce emissions caused by deforestation in that country. The two governments agreed Wednesday to enter into a partnership to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) in Indonesia’s forests and peat lands.

"Indonesia’s agreement with Norway to big reductions in deforestation is a groundbreaking achievement in the work to combat climate change,”said Rasmus Hansson, CEO of WWF-Norway,“This commitment to halting destructive forest and land use by one of the world's key forest countries promises to directly limit global CO2 emissions.”

“This agreement sets an inspiring example of responsible climate cooperation between developing and industrialised nations,” said Hansson, “To WWF, it is of particular importance that the partners recognise that forest conservation is about much more than CO2 emissions. Safeguarding ecosystems, biodiversity and indigenous peoples' livelihoods is an absolute prerequisite for making this work - and obviously a crucial benefit in itself.”

According to the Norwegian government, as part of the partnership funds will initially be devoted to finalizing Indonesia’s climate and forest strategy, building and institutionalizing capacity to monitor, report and verify reduced emissions, and putting in place enabling policies and institutional reforms, according to the Norwegian government. A two-year suspension on new concessions on conversion of natural forests and peat lands into plantations also will be implemented as part of the agreement.

Read more: http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?193465/WWF-welcomes-landmark-Norway-Indonesia-agreement-on-deforestation

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Way to go Norway! Kind of amazing that Norwegian citizens are willing to spend their own tax money so far from home on something that is good for the global environment and the economy of a Third World country.

[Uncle Joe]

1. Kicked and recommended, but "WWF" sounds too much like professional wrestling.

Thanks for the thread, pampango and good for Norway.:thumbsup: