Indonesian national stakeholders suggest four ways to tackle climate change

Antara 30 Oct 09;

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - National environmental stakeholders such as academics, entrepreneurs and activists have suggested four ways to tackle the negative impact of climate change, an official said.

The suggestions were presented during a discussion on mitigation of climate change held as part of the National Summit 2009 at the Pacific Place, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, here on Friday.

"We are suggesting four ideas, namely betterment of forest management, promoting renewable energy, allocate funds to support green programs and create good cooperation between the goverment and people in handling the issue," the discussion`s facilitator, Agus Purnomo, said here on Friday.

Purnomo, who is chief of the National Board for Climate Change`s secretariat, said the implementation of better forest management can help reduce carbon emissions, one of the factors in climate change in the world.

Oxygen produced by Indonesia`s forests can play an important role in reducing excessive carbon gas emissions into the air.

"However, several matters, namely the clear definition of the forests` function, preventive action against forest fires and clearer measurement of borders with land owned by local people need to be accomplished first to make the gas emission reduction program a success," said Agus.

As to the promotion of renewable energy among the people, Agus stated all partcipants in the discussion suggested that the government provide a budget to support the program.

The government opened the 3-day National Summit 2009 on October 29 with the participants consisting of all national stakeholders in the government and society to discuss a 2010-2014 national roadmap.

The meeting has three main topics, namely economy, people`s welfare and law and bureaucratic reforms.

The summit is expected to produce recommendations to accelerate infrastructure development across the country over the next five years.(*)