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AKARTA: Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry has received a US$3.6 million grant from the World Bank to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent by 2020 while maintaining economic growth, according to the World Bank.

The funds have been granted through the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility to Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry to analyze causes of deforestation, consult and reach out to stakeholders and build the capacity of institutions and stakeholders involved in implementing the reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) protocols.

“Indonesia is among the first of the forested, tropical countries to receive support from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, showing that it is committed to meeting its target of reducing greenhouse gases – especially from deforestation and forest degradation,” Stefan Koeberle, the World Bank director for Indonesia, said in a press statement released on Thursday.

Forest Carbon Partnership Facility donors include the Agence Française de Développement (France), Australia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“What happens with Indonesia’s forests will be critical for the future of global REDD efforts and forest carbon markets. Indonesia is already leading the way and setting an example for other countries to follow,” Koeberle added. — JP