Establishment of the REDD+ Task Force

Presidential Decree No. 19 of 2010 on the Establishment of a Task Force to Prepare the REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Institutions (‘Decree’) has been released following the collaboration between Indonesia and Norway on preventing deforestation and forest degradation, which had previously been formalized in a letter of intent signed on 26 May 2010. The bilateral collaboration is expected to have a substantial impact on addressing climate changes issues.

The collaboration between Indonesia and Norway consists of three phases. In the first phase, funds will be devoted to finalizing Indonesia’s climate and forest strategy and putting in place enabling policies and institutional reforms. In phase two, the objective is to make Indonesia ready for the contributions-for-verified emissions reductions mechnaism, while at the same time initiating larger scale mitigation actions through province-wide pilot projects. In the third phase, starting in 2014, the contributions-for-verified emissions reductions mechanism will be implemented nationally. Having said this, by means of the Decree, the government has taken the initial step in establishing the REDD+ institutions that will coordinate the implementation of REDD+.

Article 3 stipulates the duties of the REDD+ task force, which include: ensuring the preparation of the national strategies and the national action plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preparing the establishment of the REDD+ institutions, and preparing the funding instruments and mechanisms, as well as other activities relating to the implementation of the letter of intent.

Furthermore, pursuant to Article 4, in performing its duties, the REDD+ task force is authorized to coordinate further efforts by the relevant ministries and regional governments, to receive, manage, utilize and coordinate the international aid (in the shape of funding or other forms) in accordance with the regulatory framework.

It should be noted that the REDD+ task force has until 31 December 2010 to complete it tasks, however, this can be extended until 30 June 2011, under Article 9.

For further analysis see ILD No. 159 3 June 2010.

The Decree has been in force since 20 September 2010.