INDONESIA DIGEST Indonesia's complex Issues in a Nutshell Published by: TBSC-Strategic Communication No.: 31.07 - Dated: 10 December 2007
We apologize most sincerely to all our faithful readers for the absence of Indonesia Digest throughout the month of November due to urgent work that had taken most of our time and attention. We regret for any inconvenience caused and hope that you will continue to enjoy reading the Indonesia Digest. In this issue: MAIN FEATURE: CRUCIAL UN BALI CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE - THE FIRST WEEK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAIN FEATURE: CRUCIAL UN BALI CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE - THE FIRST WEEK Editor Tuti Sunario for Indonesia Digest Monday, 3 December, the day of the long-awaited UN Climate Change Conference finally dawned over Indonesia's paradise island of Bali. Bisnis Indonesia reported that by opening day, some 8,639 delegates had registered: 2,374 official delegates representing 185 countries, 4,922 delegates were from 398 NGOs and UN Secretariat, while reporting the event internationally were 982 journalists from 360 media worldwide. And as the Conference progressed, over 10,000 delegates had flown into Bali. The UNFCCC COP (Conference of Parties) -13 is scheduled to take place over a fortnight period, from December 3-14. The United Nations hopes that the Bali conference will formally launch talks over the next two years on a climate treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. 'The outcome of this conference will, to a degree, determine whether Bali - and other vulnerable places - are destined to become a lost paradise, or not,' said Yvo de Boer, general secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in opening the gathering. 'Public expectations for Bali to provide answers are big,' de Boer told the audience. 'The eyes of the world are now upon you. There is a huge responsibility for Bali to deliver.The world now expects a quantum leap forward ", said de Boer. The Governments meeting here are expected to set the end of 2009 as the goal for reaching a climate deal, allowing enough time for countries to ratify the treaty before the end of Kyoto Protocol, which began in 2005. Over the next two years, countries will have to agree to concrete emissions-reduction goals, in particular by developed countries, assign specific responsibilities and decide if and how to finance clean technology development, avoid deforestation, and help poorer countries adapt to the already- inevitable consequences of climate change. The U.N. hopes the meeting will conclude with a road map, better known as the Bali Road Map, toward a new agreement on reducing the types of air pollution many scientists believe are driving changes in the earth's climate."Adaptation needs to be a priority on our agenda. It is essential that vulnerable developing countries are in a position to draw up plans to prepare for climate change impacts," said de Boer as the Bali Climate Conference got underway, poised for a breakthrough in international climate change negotiations., reports Xinhua Incoming Conference Chair, Indonesian Environment Minister Rachmat Witular told delegates that climate protection 'must form' an integral part of sustainable economic development. The U.N. also hopes to finalize a fund to help countries affected by global warming to cope with the impacts. The money could go toward flood-proof houses, better water management, and crop diversification. On the day the conference opened, Australia's new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, signed the Kyoto Protocol in Sydney, limiting his country's greenhouse gas emissions. That act earned a standing ovation in Bali, and focused attention on the failure of the United States to sign the protocol - the only developed nation not to have done so. PRESERVING ITS FORESTS IS TOP AGENDA FOR INDONESIA Host country Indonesia fielded a total of 78 delegates reported Bisnis Indonesia, with Environment Minister, Rachmat Witoelar in the Chair, assisted by five distinguished deputy Chairmen, namely Prof. Emil Salim (former Environment Minister himself), Manellyarti Hilman also of the Environment Ministry, Rezalan Ishar Jenie from Foreign Affairs, Mahendra Siregar from the Coordinating Minstry for the Economy, and Rizal Mallarangeng from the Coordinating Ministry for Public Welfare. Indonesia's upper-most agenda along with the G77 Group plus China is the success of the incentive scheme on Deforestation, known as REDD (Reducing Emission from Deforestation in Developing Countries). In addition, Indonesia also wishes to see the issue of forest degradation, aforestation and conservation included in the scheme, not just a moratorium on forestation. Moreover, included in the calculations should be potential cost and valuation on carbon stock through forests. Furthermore, Indonesia proposes multilateral funding and market mechanism as a means to positive incentive fundings, post 2012, and urges developed countries to provide direct funds to developing nations possessing more than 10% in protective forests. TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL CLIMATE CONFERENCE, INDONESIA READIES AIRPORTS, SECURITY, POWER SUPPLY AND SOCIAL SUPORT To host the crucial Bali Climate Conference, Indonesia allocated some Rp. 115 billion from the National Budget plus US$ 3 million received from donor countries. These costs do not yet include expenses for super-tight security. Indeed, in a flurry of preparations, already one month prior to opening day, Indonesia ensured total preparedness in the necessary infrastructure and security to be in place by the time the expected 10,000 delegates of the UNFCCC would arrive, that include a number of Heads of State. Before this Conference, Bali's capacity for hosting large-scale conference had been a maximum of 5,000 delegates. Thus, to accommodate the increased incoming and outgoing flights as well as additional private planes expected to land on Bali, the airports of Surabaya and Jakarta had been readied to provide extra apron areas to park private planes. Security has also been extra tightened, as Indonesia wants no tampering to security to this most important event. The Indonesian Police are on 24-hour alert, not only those stationed in Bali but also deployed from Java, guarding strategic locations particularly at all air and sea access to Bali before the actual arrival of Heads of State. AS from arrival of VVIPs, Bali's security will be taken over by the military. Major General Syaiful Rizal, district head of the Udayana Military command told a press conference on November 8 :"We will deploy 7,000 peace keeping personnel. We will be on duty not only in Bali, but also in Lombok. Troops will be present throughout the West Nusa Tenggara province and in every regency of Bali. We don't want any tricks played on us." To allow not a single loophole in security, the Military and Police have also galvanized traditional village personnel - known as pecalang - to stay on guard. Underlining the positive image that will result for Bali from a successful UNFCCC summit, Rizal called for assistance and cooperation from every element of society. "Be alert, if you see something suspicious, report to the nearest police or military post," Rizal insisted. Further ensuring air and sea security controls, a number of patrol boats have been shifted to Bali where they are on active patrol status.While 120 blue beret UN police are on duty at the conference headquarters complex within the Nusa Dua Complex at South Bali, reported balidiscovery.com Vital infrastructure has also most carefully guarded. As Bali receives its electricity supply through underwater cables from Java and Madura, CCTVs have been installed on this network along the Bali Straits, reported Bali Post, and will be constantly monitored by the East Java Police. Commercial and traditional fishing vessels have also been barred from entering these sea areas. This measure was necessary caused by two incidents in the past six months, one when a ship's anchor accidentally dragged and cut the underwater cable near Madura island, and the second time was when children flying kites near the Banyuwangi transmission station caused power failure on Bali. Kite-flying has also been barred near the vicinity of the Nugrah Rai International airport. In all, the National Electricity Company, PLN has on standby some 1,059 personnel to ensure the uninterrupted supply of electricity for the conference and other requirements of the 10,000 and more delegates, said PLN Director for Transmission and Distribution, Herman Darnel Ibrahim. For the purpose of the conference, PLN has increased power supply to the Nusa Dua area from 60 MW to 80 MW. Standby generators and UPS can add another 370 KVA and 160 KVA. While Nusa Dua hotels have on standy captive power of around 3.5 MW. Indonesia's Telkom and Indosat have also been kept busy increasing internet and phone line capacity to the island, ensuring effortless and continuous multi-media and Television broadcast from Indonesia to the world. "THE BATTLE OF BATIKS IN BALI" Meanwhile, Susilowani Daud President Director of Pacto Convex, the event organizers was quoted by Kompas as saying that altogether, more than 5,600 hotel rooms have been booked at the Nusa Dua and surrounding resorts. With the Bali International Convention Center and the Westin Resort as the core site of activities, two main conference rooms for 1,300 and 800 delegates each have been blocked and 28 meeting rooms used, with 2 meeting rooms located at the Westin Hotel , 12 at the BICC, 6 at the Laguna Resort and 8 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Since these are still not sufficient for delegates' needs, the tennis court has also been transformed into meeting rooms, and the parking lot into a media center, all set up in air-conditioned tents especially transported from Jakarta. To serve the 10,000 delegates, Pacto has recruited 550 Liaison Officers, who are graduates and students of the Bali Tourism Academy. Susi further informed that the conference needs a constant supply of some 50 gallons drinking water each day, which is expected to increase to 100 gallons per day towards the end of the meeting. UNFCCC also requires some 270 reams of paper a day for conference results to be distributed to delegates, and paper requirement is expected to rise to 300 reams as conference proceedings peak, said Susi. And, on account of the hot and humid climate on Bali this time of the year, - which can reach between 38° to 39° Centigrade, - Secretary General Yvo de Boer has changed conference dress code to "no coat and ties", aimed to reduce the need for unnecessary polluting air-conditioning. Air conditioning in meeting rooms has been kept at a balmy 24° - 25° Centigrade, said orgnizers. As a result, journalists report, there is now a "battle of batiks in Bali". American and European government officials unfamiliar with Indonesia's cotton and silk batiks - most appropriate and most comfortable for the tropics, - have at first balked at wearing the ornate and often colourful batik shirts for formal occasions. But Yvo de Boer himself who led the change of attire wearing handsome batiks, now has a faithful following and even rivals in batik chic. TO ABSORB CARBON EMISSION, INDONESIA PLANTS 89 MILLION TREES Meanwhile, Indonesian President Yudhoyono has decided to temporarily "move" his office to Bali during the entire two weeks conference, barring a few days when the President was scheduled to fly to a number of provinces. In the run-up to the Climate Change Conference in Bali, a tree-planting campaign was held, led by President Yudhoyono himself. The campaign pledged the planting of and caring for 79 million trees throughout the archipelago within the month of December. Henceforth, December tree planting will become an annual tradition in Indonesia, said the President. On 1 December, which is Indonesia's Women's Day, the country's women, led by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono also pledged to plant and care for 10 million trees during this month. One district head of Sragen on Java, even passed an innovative bylaw whereby couples wishing to marry must plant a couple of trees. Conversely when a couple wishes to divorce, the two are "fined" four trees to plant. On Sunday, the International and Indonesian Red Cross distributed 1, 000 mangrove seedlings planted by students along the Tanjung Benoa coast to reduce abrasion. Earlier the organizations planted 2,000 of a total 10,000 seedlings pledged. INDONESIA NO. 15 IN WORLD CLIMATE PERFORMANCE INDEX Towards the end of the first week of the Conference, Indonesia received some welcome news. German Watch and the European Climate Action Network placed Indonesia at no. 15 in the world climate action index, a huge improvement from no. 43 in 2006 among 56 countries, reports Kompas daily. The ten worst performing countries according to this assessment are (starting from the worst): Saudi Arabia (no. 56), the United States (no. 55), Australia (no. 54), Canada (no. 53), Luxemburgh (no. 52), South Korea (no. 51), Russia (no. 50), Malaysia (49), Kazakhstan (48), and Ukraine (47). Hans Verolme, WWF Program Director commented that Saudi Arabia, Japan and Malaysia have been included among the world's worst performers, as these nations still have not seen the urgency to face climate change issues. Despite the fact that Malaysian Prime Minister had expressed his commitment to Climate Change, yet Malaysian delegates have said they needed time to study the 23-page IPCC report. Explaining the methods and criteria for evaluation, Jan Burck of German Watch and Matthias Duwe of the Eruopean Climate Action Network said the assessments were made on a basket of criteria that included trends in a country with main orientation towards the energy, transportation, housing, and industry sectors (which form 50% of the assessment), levels of emission according to IPCC (30%) and policies on climate (20%). In all, Indonesia received a total of 57.6 points and is evaluated to have improved its performance in policies and emission levels, but is still high in emission trends. Little improvements have been seen in reduction of emissions, especially from cars and motorbikes, where many car exhausts are still emitting thick smoke. China has been set at index no. 40 with a total of 47 points because its total emission amounts to 18.8% of world emission. However, China has greatly improved its policies vis-à-vis climate change. At week's end, in an Interview with Indonesia's Metro TV, Secretary General, Yvo de Boer, expressed optimism that results of the Bali Conference are on track. "We are nearly there" said de Boer. The toughest issue is the pull-push battle between developing and industrialized nations. Indonesia's Delegation also expressed relief that light is emerging at the end of the tunnel as Indonesia had set four targets, reported Kompas. These are firstly, clear mechanism on adaptation funds, where financial resources are set at two percent of carbon trade by developed countries. According to the Kyoto Protocol, developed countries must reduce emission to an average 5 percent from 1990 levels. Discussions on the management of the adaptation funds are in the right direction and near to an agreement. Three institutions ahave been recommended as alternative secretariats, these are either to be included into the main UNFCCC secretariat, through Gobal Environment Facility (GEF) or even through a newly established institution, said Masnellyarti Hilman. The second issue is the transfer of technology. In principle agreement has been achieved that the issue to be transferred for discussion from the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) to the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), meaning that the issue has moved from concept to implementation, explained Prof. Emil Salim. On the subject of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries, Indonesia has confirmed that this is renamed to Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD). In the ongoing debates, it was agreed that a pilot project be established and SBSTA to devise its methodology while SBI to propose a positive incentive scheme. On this subject, meanwhile, a number of green activists and NGOs staged demonstrations that carbon trade in REDD would only benefit developed countries and rich corporations, leaving out the poor and indigenous peoples living from forests. They also allege that discussions on carbon trade will derail discussions on mandatory reduction of emissions, which is the main focus for holding the Climate Conference. Whereas on the fourth issue, which is the post-Kyoto Protocol program in its first stage implementation from 2008-2012, this will be discussed in the second week under the subject of the Bali Road Map. According to the the decision madeby the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in September 2007, industrialized nations must reduce emission through deeper cuts from 5 percent to between 25-40 percent. The European Union proposed "mandatory" cut of 30 percent for developed countries, whereas, the United States still proposed "voluntary cuts". ALL NATIONS MUST PARTICIPATE TO EFFECTIVELY REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING On discussions in the coming week, Alister Doyle and Gerard Wynn writing for swissinfo.com of 8 December, reported that a four-page draft had been circulated, written by delegates from Indonesia, Australia and South Africa to serve as an unofficial guide for delegates from 190 nations at the December 3-14 talks. The Draft calls for effective partication by all countries. The Draft said that there was "unequivocal scientific evidence" that "preventing the worst impacts of climate change will require (developed nations) to reduce emissions in a range of 25-40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020." The draft is the first outline of the possible goals of talks on a new global deal to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which binds just 36 developed nations to cut emissions of greenhouse gases by 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2008-12. "Current efforts ... will not deliver the required emissions reductions," according to the text, obtained by Reuters, that lays out a plan for averting ever more droughts, floods, heatwaves and rising seas. "The challenge of climate change calls for effective participation by all countries," it said. The United States is outside the Kyoto pact and developing nations led by China and India have no 2012 goals for limiting emissions. Echoing conclusions this year by the U.N. climate panel, it said global emissions of greenhouse gases would have to "peak in the next 10 to 15 years and be reduced to very low levels, well below half of levels in 2000 by 2050." THREE OPTIONS The draft lays out three options for how to proceed after Bali -- ranging from non-binding talks over the next two years to a deadline for adopting a new global pact at a U.N. meeting in Copenhagen in late 2009. Rich nations should consider ways to step up efforts to curb emissions of greenhouse gases by setting "quantified national emission objectives", the draft says. Poor countries should take "national mitigation actions ... that limit the growth of, or reduce, emissions," it says. It adds that "social development and poverty eradication are the first and overriding priorities" for poor nations. Delegates will report back on Monday with reactions. Earlier, trade ministers from 12 nations met for the first time on the sidelines of a U.N. climate conference, opening a new front in the global warming battle. Their two-day discussions ending on Sunday focus on easing tariffs on climate-friendly goods to spur a "green" economy. About 20 finance ministers will join the fringes of the Bali meeting on Monday and Tuesday. "Climate change solutions open up important opportunities for jobs and trade," Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean told reporters. Ministers at the trade meeting included those from the United States, Australia, Brazil and India. Differences over who should take the blame for, and do most to curb, emissions threatened to deadlock the main talks. Canada and Australia joined Japan on Saturday in calling for commitments from some developing countries. But developing nations would find it "inconceivable" to accept binding targets now, said the U.N.'s climate change chief Yvo de Boer. An alliance of 43 small island states urged even tougher action to fight climate change, saying they risked being washed off the map by rising seas.(Sources: Bisnis Indonesia, Kompas, Balipost.com; balidiscovery.com; xinhua; Reuters; swissinfo.com; Jakarta Post) For your comments or further inquiries, please e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
