Norwegian support for the preservation of Indonesia’s peatlands

Vidar Helgesen, joint climate declarationMinister of Climate and Environment Vidar Helgesen.Photo: regjeringen.no

With financial support from Norway, Indonesia is introducing a ban on destroying peatlands. Damaged peatlands is one of Indonesia’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

– If effectively enforced, this prohibition protecting Indonesia’s peatlands, willgreatly influence the climate.

This is one of the largest and most concrete climate commitments a country has taken on since the climate summit in Paris last year.

It could be an important breakthrough for the implementation of the Paris Agreement, says Climate and Environment Minister Vidar Helgesen.

Indonesia plans to restore large areas of peatlands, which over the years have been drained to produce palm oil.

To support the work Norway has made an agreement to assist the Asian country, through the World Bank, with 235 million Norwegian kroner.

When the plan for how the ban will be enforced and monitored is ready, Norway will pay an equivalent amount to continue its efforts to restore and protect peatlands.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today