Interview with an adviser on REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) to ASEAN

My visit to the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta

Yesterday I met up with an adviser to the ASEAN Secretariat on REDD questions.
ASEAN is trying to formulate a joint REDD position, as it does not feel sufficiently represented by other groupings such as the G7. Indonesia as the country with the largest remaining forests (almost half of all ASEAN forest cover) and the largest total deforestation rate, was designated to take the lead.

In Indonesia, a major hindrance to effectively curb deforestation is the fragmented competences over forest issues. In Kalimantan, where I go today, local governments continue to hand out licenses for coal mining on land, which is declared conservation forest by the national government. The decentralization of competences a few years ago showed mixed results: many local and regional politicians are closely linked to the businesses which engage in large-scale deforestation activities. I´m reminded that Indonesia is only a young democracy, where democratic scrutiny and oversight by the people does not (yet?) function very well.

Asked for the priorities to tackle deforestation in Indonesia effectively, I am told that first and foremost, the different policies of the different state actors need to be brought into line and contradicting decisions on forest use eliminated. Another vital stepping stone would be a reformed, clearer tenure right, with improved rights for local people and communities and simplified procedures for them.

Her main hope for Copenhagen is accordingly a firm and clear agreement on REDD, including a new forest definition which distinguished between natural, pristine forests as conservation priority and other forests (plantations, a/reforested land). She insists that we cannot have REDD without good governance. Therefore, FLEG remains relevant and inseparable with REDD and should be one of the building blocks of REDD.

Concerning the new Indonesian regulation on REDD (the first of its kind worldwide), I hear that a main immediate purpose is to regulate the various ongoing voluntary REDD activities for carbon-offsetting in the country. With this regulation, the national government wants to stop foreign investors to by-pass it and to negotiate directly with the sub-national administration. The regulation is to set national standards and to ensure a share of the revenues for the national level.

Asked whether different aspects of forest governance such as biodiversity and livelihoods are dealt with in the ASEAN REDD network discussions are denied. As in general, competences over these different forest-related issues are fragmented in ASEAN. Putting forest governance on a higher political agenda is seen as the only way to incorporate these different aspects and reach effective and coherent policies. Another problem is the lack of donor interest in funding regional, trans-national approaches.