By: Masayu Yulien Vinanda

Jakarta(25/08)-Aiming to help Indonesia prepare to implement REDD, Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), the Indonesia Environmental Information Centre (PILI), and WWF launched a network-based information system REDD-I, in Intercontinental Hotel, South Jakarta, Tuesday (25/08).
2009 is an importance year for the existence of our forest since on December 2009, a global climate change conference, UNFCC will settle on a new agreement regarding emission reduction. REDD mechanism is expected to be part of the upcoming agreement.

“Now we want to help all forest stakeholders and the Indonesian public as a whole, get the information they need to take part in this vital debate about the future of the country’s forests,” said a Senior scientists at CIFOR.
The REDD web launching www.redd-indonesia.org is expected to become an information source for those who implement REDD projects in Indonesia.
At the same event, Executive Director of the Indonesia Environmental Information Centre (PILI) Pam E. Minnigh said, besides general information regarding REDD, this web also provides articles from formal institution or mass media, law and regulation regarding REDD in Indonesia.
“We designed this site to be as interactive as possible. In consultation section, visitors can post questions regarding REDD in Indonesia. Then our experts from CIFOR and WWF will kindly answer their questions,” said Pam.

An accurate an comprehensive information regarding REDD is urgently needed since there are many who still misinterpret REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) financing sources. “REDD financing sources are not aiming to maintain forest sustainability. Nevertheless they are sources to help reducing climate change effect,” The Executive Secretary of  National Council on Climate Change Agus Purnomo explained. He added, ”We’ll get money from our effort of reducing climate change, not because we have lots forests.”

Regarding REDD implementation in Indonesia, Technical Team Leader of the REDD Commission at the Ministry of Forestry Nur Masripatin explained that at the present they have been working the strategy for REDD Indonesia which will be discussed the next two weeks. “We are now preparing the methodology and regulation. The regulations are three officially announced Ministerial Decrees in recent years,” Nur said.

Director of WWF-Indonesia Climate and Energy Program Fitrian ardiansyah who attended the launching suggested that our government needs to be aware of the overlapping of  land management because the unclear land status will obstruct REDD projects in Indonesia. Fitrian also highlighted the importance of socializing the benefits of implementing REDD. “The benefits factor is important, by implementing REDD we not only reduce the carbon emission but also save biodiversities. Moreover social economy of local people can also be promoted.”