UN-REDD: Indonesia

The proposed joint program aims to facilitate the Indonesian government to timely develop a REDD architecture that will allow a fair, equitable and transparent REDD implementation significantly contributing to a sustainable reduction of forestry related greenhouse gas emissions.

REDD is already re-shaping the Indonesian forestry landscape. Around 20 voluntary projects are in various stages of development. Some of these have been launched officially and are linked to high profile financing institutions. Despite some setbacks, interest remains significant. Altogether, over 3 million ha is proposed for REDD development. The scope and aim vary and worries exist that this ultimately leads to different approaches for setting reference baseline, monitoring tools and payment schemes. This may ultimately undermine Government of Indonesia (GoI)’s efforts to move towards a market based nested approach to REDD as seems to be the preferred direction from GOI. A recent REDD workshop allowed project proponents to present their plans which has led to significant interest.

Multi-stakeholder participation in REDD is of critical importance to REDD readiness. Recognizing the importance to do so, the government initially has been working through the IFCA multi-stakeholder alliance. IFCA organized and streamlined stakeholder input. Amongst others, this resulted in an initial outline of what was called a REDD supply chain. Furthermore, subject matter related analysis were conducted which fed into a final report outlining the Indonesian REDD strategy. This process still has to be finalized.

Provincial governments are developing policies and shown interest in developing REDD as an alternative for forest development. These efforts are hampered by misunderstanding and insufficient alignment with national level processes. While these initiatives need support, better communication between province governments and the Ministry of Forestry is essential to make REDD successful longer term. The key risk is that if agreements are made at local level which are in conflict with national level policies, early investments based on these commitment will be disappointing for investors which will impacts on future market development.

The Objective of the UN-REDD Indonesia Programme is “to assist the GoI in attaining REDD-Readiness”. In order to secure this Objective, three Outcomes with subsequent outputs and activities will be pursued:

Outcome 1: Strengthened multi-stakeholder participation and consensus at national level

Output 1.1 (UNDP): Consensus on key issuesfor national REDD policy development

Output 1.2 (UNDP): REDD lessons learned

Output 1.3 (UNEP): Communications Program

Outcome 2: Successful demonstration of establishing a reference emission level, MRV and fair payment systems based on the national REDD architecture

Output 2.1 (FAO): Improved capacity and methodology design for forest carbon inventory within a Monitoring, Assessment, Reporting and Verification System (MARV), including sub-national pilot implementation

Output 2.2 (FAO): Reference emissions level (REL)

Output 2.3 (UNDP): Harmonized fair and equitable payment mechanism at provincial level

Output 2.4 (UNEP): Toolkit for priority setting towards maximizing potential Carbon-benefits and incorporating co-benefits, such as biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation under MDG

Outcome 3: Capacity established to implement REDD at decentralized levels

Output 3.1 (UNDP): Capacity for spatial socio-economic planning incorporating REDD at the district level

Output 3.2 (UNDP): Empowered local stakeholders are able to benefit from REDD

Output 3.3 (UNDP): Multi-stakeholder-endorsed District plans for REDD implementation

• The Inception workshop took place 30 31 March 2010. TOR and Agenda 

The objectives of the workshop were 1) to ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the UN-REDD programme, its structure and objectives; 2 ) to assess the relation between the UN-REDD programme and other REDD initiatives in Indonesia and to identify gaps and overlaps.

The workshop was officially opened by the Minister of Forestry in Indonesia, Mr. Zulkifli Hasan, in a key note speech. 

The inception workshop was attended by a little over 150 participants representing various ministries, provincial governments, international organisations, NGO's and other stakeholders concerned and interested in REDD issues both at national and sub-national levels.. The presentations focused on REDD in Indonesia and of course the UN-REDD programme. The participants gave valuable comments on the proposed activities and on how to best involve local communities in the implementation of UN-REDD. Please see the website of the Ministry of Forestry for more information: http://www.dephut.go.id/index.php?q=id/node/6282

• On 23 November the Indonesia UN-REDD Programme document was formally signed by and the Ministry of Forestry, UNDP and FAO. The signing was witnessed by Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development, Mr. Erik Solheim, State Minister for Forestry, Mr. Zulkifli Hasan, Chairman of National Council of Climate Change (DNPI), Mr. Rachmat Witoelar, State Minister for Environment, Mr. Gusti Muhammad Hatta, and DNPI. See press release here.
• On 30 October the Indonesia UN-REDD Programme Document was approved by the Ministry of Forestry. The document was sent to be reviewed by Bappenas (the National Development Planning Agency) for formal approval.
• An two-part Earth report documentary was filmed by Television for the Environment (TVE) for the BBC and has been first broadcast the 3rd week of October.
• The Ministry of Forestry and the UN are preparing detailed terms of references for specific activities to be undertaken as part of the Programme.
• Preparatory work to establish the Programme Management Unit Office is ongoing. The Office’s objectives are: 1) appointment of NPD, 2) recruit key projects staff, 3) see to the Project Office installment and 4) secure the registration of the JPD for implementation through the Ministry of Finance. The target date for the completion of these efforts is November 2009. The Ministry of Forestry and the UN will continue to jointly organize multistakeholder discussions on key-issues.

June 2009:

• June 25-26 : a REL workshop was conducted in Bogor, with representatives from the Ministry of Forestry, the National Climate Change Board (DNPI), the Climate Change Working Group, National and International NGOs, Donor Agencies and Universities.
• 26 June, a high-level meeting between the Ministry of Forestry, the UN, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy took place. Strong commitment was expressed by all participants to the UN-REDD Programme.
• 25-26 June : the Ministry of Forestry and the UN organized a focus group discussion on a zero-draft Ministerial Decree on Reference Emission Levels (REL). The support from the UN to this workshop was within the framework of strengthening multistakeholder participation and reaching consensus on key-issues with regard to REDD. The workshop has resulted in important inputs to further developing the Ministerial Decree.
• 14 - 16 June, the 2nd UN-REDD Programme Board meeting took place in Switzerland. GoI presented the progress made and next steps

May 2009

• A broad consultation of CSOs and Indigenous Peoples' Representatives took place on 20 May. The meeting jointly organized by the Ministry of Forestry and the UN, was attended by 32 participants representing over 10 organizations. Discussions were constructive and supported the proposed programme. A number of recommendations were made that will strengthen the implementation of the programme. All participants further agreed that this consultation meeting is a start of a long-term engagement of CSOs and IP representatives with the Government of Indonesia and the UN in UN-REDD, moving from consultation to participation.

March 2009

• Funding allocation for the Indonesia UN-REDD programme approved by the Policy Board.

• The government of Indonesia will finalize the National REDD Strategy and further develop the Ministerial Decree on REL.
• A proposed joint study with IAFCP is moving forward to develop a Legal Framework for the programme, with a target date of November 2009. This initiative will incorporate private sector legal reviews in its formation as well and provide initial result inputs for the Gol delegation to Copenhagen
• Preparations for the National Inception Workshop are targeted for January 2010.

 Other important REDD developments in Indonesia include the recent signing of a Ministerial Decree on REDD pilot projects, and the preparation of the National REDD Strategy.