The Indonesian government has shown that it is capable of taking a rash decision of deliberately ending an international agreement, regardless of the fact that it is related to forestry—one of the country's most strategic natural resources—and involves Norway, a long-time trading partner and strong ally in climate efforts.

And the result is the loss of the largest funding for REDD+, a key mitigation mechanism that Indonesia needs to conserve its rainforests.

Read also: Indonesia, Norway in blame game over collapsed deforestation pact

The REDD+ mechanism was adopted in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 13) in Bali in 2007 and was the result of the lobbying of Indonesia and other forest countries. One of the conference’s key decisions was to ensure that forest conservation was monitored and accounted for and that countries could apply for international assistance.

It was not easy for Indonesia to carry out the REDD+ projects, measure and report them according to international standards. It took a decade before the efforts were formally verified by Norway and became eligible for payment.

And when expectations began to build for Indonesia, one of the world's largest emitters, to make major climate efforts, the government chose to bring it all back to square one.

Deputy Environment and Forestry Minister Alue Dohong lamented a "lack of good will" on Norway’s part by its demand that Indonesia fulfill more requirements—which he claimed had not been part of the 2010 agreement—before it would disburse the payment.

But even if the fund-disbursement process was unfair, Indonesia should not simply walk away, which gives the impression of intolerance and arrogance that is rarely displayed in such high-profile bilateral partnerships.

The unilateral termination of the deal also puts Indonesia’s poor track record in deforestation and lack of environmental commitment back in the spotlight again. Without international monitoring of its forests, the government may look into the possibility of expanding large plantations, which have become a major cause of deforestation and forest fires.

As nations revitalize their climate commitments after the return of the US to the Paris Agreement, it is high time that all countries, rich or poor, large or small, show willingness to fight climate change together.

Read also: End of Indonesia-Norway deal reveals distrust, vulnerability in climate funding

Indonesia and Norway should find a way to return to the negotiating table and resolve their differences. It is not just about money, but more than ever, it is the lack of good faith that the two countries must work to overcome.

Norway should reward Indonesia on the basis of what it had promised. It should follow ethics and standards of international agreements in rolling out the funding scheme. Once it begins to breach these standards, it should not expect other countries to respect the deals it has signed.

Indonesia should remember its responsibility to conserve its forests and protect the environment, and the communities and biodiversity dependent on them—with or without international assistance. The government should act as an enabler in the process, providing help to the private sector and the people to conserve the forests.

And it is much better for Indonesia to have more friends, rather than foes, in fulfilling its climate obligations. 

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