By: Masayu Yulien Vinanda
Jakarta (28/04)-Speaking at Business for the Environment (B4E) Summit, where Indonesian and international business leaders gather with governments, donors, and NGOs to identify practical solutions supporting sustainable business, Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced his commitment to promote the expantion of plantation or other economic activities to low carbon areas in an attempt to pursue green economy.
With over 30 million hectares of degraded land in Indonesia, expanding uncontrollably land use for agriculture which will severely affect our environment is no longer needed. Utilizing the degraded land for productive purposes while exercising best practices are best solutions to halt forest loss.
“I am pleased to announce that my government will grant access to degraded lands for the industries that are serious in expanding or are planning to invest on these lands, for the welfare of our people and for the future of our planet,” he said in his keynote speech on the second day of B4E Summit, Thursday (28/04), in Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta.

The Indonesian government would also give incentives to those who turned unproductive grasslands into high-yielding and productive assets. On that opportunity, the President encouraged the business leaders and civil society to actively take part in joint efforts to accelerate low-carbon development and create green economy in the nation.
The government new policy is in line with WWF’s Living Forest Report whose first chapter was released in the first day of B4E Summit 2011. It urges the policy makers and business actors unite around a goal of Zero Net Deforestation and Forest Degradation (ZNDD)by 2020. Beside examining the drivers of deforestation, the report also identifies the opportunities to shift from business as usual to a new model of sustainability wihich can benefit government, business and communities.
Meanwhile the Chairman of Investment Coordinating Board, Republic of Indonesia, Gita Wirjawan who also delivered his remarks, highlighted the critical roles of private sectors in finding innovative climate change solutions.
“Through new research and technology investments, the public sectors could accelerate the adoption of these technologies by providing an enabling environment. For that, would make them more financially feasible including through system of incentives and disincentives,” he emphasized.
He also hailed companies which are committed to align their corporate goals with bidoversities, environment, and sustainability. He showed his great support to stand ready facilitating companies for taking a view and be part of the climate change solutions.