Indonesia, Norway ink deal to reward rainforest protection

A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indonesia and Norway was signed by Minister for Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar (centre) and Norway’s Minister for Climate and the Environment Espen Barth Eide (right) in support of Indonesia’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also present was Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi (left) - JP

JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): Indonesia and Norway signed a deal on Monday (Sept 12) to reward deforestation reduction months after the collapse of a similar US$1-billion agreement that was part of a UN-backed global initiative criticised for its ineffectiveness.

Protecting trees is key to meeting climate goals but environmentalists blame Indonesia -- home to the world's third-largest rainforest area -- for a deforestation free-for-all by allowing companies to clear land for new plantations.