Indonesia, US Collaborate to Reduce Forestry Sector Emissions

Jakarta – The governments of Indonesia and the United States have agreed to collaborate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by the forestry sector by supporting Indonesian Forestry and Other Land Uses (FOLU) Net Sink 2030 plan. 

According to the Environment and Forestry (LHK) Ministry, the agreement was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between LHK Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar and Forest Service Chief at the US Department of Agriculture, Randy Moore, in Jakarta. 

"This memorandum of understanding marks an important milestone in the implementation of Indonesia's FOLU Net Sink 2030," Minister Bakar said after signing the document on Tuesday, as reported by Antara site. 

Through its FOLU Net Sink 2030 plan, Indonesia is aiming to ensure that the level of absorption of FOLU's greenhouse gas emissions is on par, or even higher, than the emissions generated by the year 2030.

To achieve that end, Indonesia is implementing four strategies, namely preventing deforestation, conserving forests, protecting and restoring peatlands, and increasing the level of carbon absorption.

According to Minister Bakar, by implementing FOLU Net Sink 2030, Indonesia will emerge as a role model for realizing global climate commitments, while promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The Minister then expressed optimism that long-term cooperation between Indonesia and the United States would further strengthen several ongoing measures related to the management of multipurpose forests.

The minister said that the two countries can collaborate to ensure the sustainable management of forests, provide forest extension services, improve technical capabilities for dealing with forest and land fires, and strengthen law enforcement by supporting Indonesia's plan to establish a forest police academy.

"I believe that our partnership will be even stronger as it is based on measurable evidence, the principle of sovereignty, as well as mutual respect, trust, and benefits," Minister Bakar remarked. 

Meanwhile, Moore stated that the MoU was the result of an earlier discussion between Bakar and the previous forest service chief in 2018.

He then expressed the hope that the MoU would further strengthen the foundation laid by the two countries, while noting that Indonesia is playing a vital role in the global fight against the adverse impacts of climate change.