Government officially forms REDD+ agency

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has signed a presidential decree for the establishment of a long-awaited national agency on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+), which looks set to implement a two-year forest moratorium extension, The Jakarta Post reported.

The establishment of the ministerial-level agency, according to a press release from the Cabinet secretary’s office on Friday, is part of the government’s commitment to alone reduce emissions by 26 percent by 2020 or by 41 percent with the help of international entities, as promised by Yudhoyono in 2009.

REDD+ is an alternative mechanism to cut global carbon dioxide emissions in developing nations. Under the scheme, forested nations receive financial incentives for protecting their forests. The “plus” in the program’s name refers to additional financial incentives given to countries that launch projects to plant trees, conserve forest areas or increase carbon retention.

The new agency will focus on monitoring, reporting and verifying emission reductions related to forestry, and manage the incentives disbursements from developed countries. It will also coordinate the nationwide REDD+ road strategy alongside other ministries and institutions.

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