Indeed much of the challenges related to REDD appear to be daunting for Indonesia. With respect to the monitoring aspects of REDD, Indonesia perhaps cannot only use an advanced satellite monitoring system (with an IT information system to integrate and monitor policy responses) but also learn from the experiences of other countries in designing and implementing effective policies in slowing the rate of deforestation. One notable example is Brazil and an interesting development is outlined below.

As we all know the Cancun Agreement (limiting global warming to 2 degrees Centigrade) principally agreed that: OECD countries will have to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050 and developing countries must follow the path of low carbon infrastructure development.

It is not hard to imagine that, given the scientific predictions of climate change, by 2050, nothing will function as it does today. Confronting the challenges of climate change mitigation and adaptation, resource scarcity and energy security will require massive investment in the fundamental reconfiguration of both the physical and digital infrastructure that supports modern society.

Such a challenge presents huge opportunities both for investors and for project owners, especially in dealing with digital infrastructure (or infrastructure relating to telecom and information technology or information communications technologies, ICTs).

One area where ICTs can assist in tackling deforestation is in the area of Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) through the use of satellite monitoring. At the UN-REDD event at the Climate Change Talks in Bonn in July 2010, there were various discussions on the development of MRV and Monitoring Work by UN-REDD and Partners who are expected to work side by side to make satellite monitoring systems available to UN-REDD Program countries.  

With respect to satellite monitoring, it is interesting to see that there is now a group called Global Forest Watch which has turned its focus toward Indonesia. But as we all know, monitoring alone is never enough. Without effective MRV (and accurate satellite monitoring) and enforcement the value of allowances is diminished.

Among the emerging countries notably Brazil appears to have successfully put together integrated government policies with the satellite monitoring that has clearly helped reduce deforestation in Brazil.

One of critical part of the Brazilian program is the satellite monitoring systems. There is little doubt that there are many other areas of ICT application apart from satellite monitoring that could be included into the implementation of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) in developing countries, particularly Indonesia.

Idris F. Sulaiman
Canberra

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