Greenpeace hails Indonesian President's climate change posture

Antara 21 Oct 09;

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Greenpeace hailed President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s intention to assume a leading role in the battle against climate change by reducing Indonesia`s greenhouse emissions by 21 percent by 2020.

Greenpeace here on Tuesday delivered a letter and a bouquet of flowers also to congratulate Yudhoyono on his inauguration for his second presidential term, a press statement of the environmental NGO, said.

"As president of the country with the largest remaining tropical forests in the region and therefore, with most to lose, his words are a sign of hope for the millions of people who are already suffering under the impact of climate change and the region`s rich biodiversity," wrote Von Hernandez, Executive Director Greenpeace Southeast Asia in the letter.

The NGO also called on President Yudhoyono to personally attend the crucial Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December and honor his commitments while prioritizing the implementation of a moratorium on deforestation in his first one-hundred-days program.

"Such a Presidential declaration would be legally enforceable and a necessary step to protect Indonesia`s forests and peat lands effectively," it said.

As one of the most important leaders in South East Asia - the region recognized as one of the most exposed and least prepared for the impact of climate change, President Yudhoyono`s pledge, when turned into action, will herald the much needed cooperation between the developed and developing world on funding for mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

At last month`s G20 meeting in Pittsburgh, US, President Yudhoyono pledged a 26-percent cut in Indonesia`s carbon emissions by 2020 - rising to 41 percent with international support. By doing so he demonstrated Indonesia`s willingness and the kind of strong leadership that is critical to helping the world avoid climate chaos.

As part of his presidency, Greenpeace expects President Yudhoyono to turn his G20 commitment into reality by outlining concrete steps to implement a national plan that should ultimately lead to a carbon-neutral, sustainable development with zero deforestation.

In doing so, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will make history as a President, and the global leader, who was responsible for stopping the irreversible impact of runaway climate change.

"Greenpeace wishes President Yudhoyono good luck in his endeavor to do the right thing for the people of Indonesia and use the historic opportunity presented to him to do the right thing for all living things on the planet," the letter concluded.

Greenpeace is an independent, global campaigning organization that acts to change attitudes and behavior, to protect and conserve the environment, and to promote peace.(*)