Enabling strategy, legal and policy environments for low-carbon emission development pathways and the promotion of profitable, diverse agroforestry and sustainable livelihoods

Indonesia recently committed itself to implementing
a national strategy to reduce emissions from
deforestation and forest degradation and include
conservation (REDD+), creating a new REDD+
agency and an independent monitoring, reporting
and validating institution. As this process develops,
theWorld Agroforestry Centre is working closely with the Government
of Indonesia to increase understanding of all opportunities for reducing
greenhouse gas emissions from land use. A clear priority is needed on
emissions from forest and peatland conversion. Recent data analysis
suggests that the loss of woody vegetation (and the associated
increase of emissions) is, on a per hectare basis, as large outside as it is
inside the Government-designated forest domain that has so far been
the focus of REDD+ discussions.
With the advent of REDD+ and the potential for increased financial
flows into carbon-rich landscapes, the question of how to relate
national commitments to the local context and implementation is more
important than ever. Rather than focusing on short-term emissions
reduction strategies, the debate has shifted to new forms of 'clean
development' strategies that focus on maintaining high carbon stocks
and low carbon flows and yet also achieving development goals.