Press Release 27.08.09 
         Indonesia has the potential to reduce carbon emissions significantly by 2030 
              given the right set of policies and strong international support
                                 
        Jakarta (August 27, 2009) – A draft report of a study underway at the National Climate Change Council 
        (DNPI) shows that Indonesia has the potential to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by as 
        much as 60% by 2030, with the right mixture of domestic policies and international support. Policy and 
        institutional changes in the forestry, power and transportation sectors, as well as in peatland 
        management, are key to Indonesia’s opportunity to shift to a more sustainable economic path, along 
        with higher efficiency in the use of energy, carbon and natural resources.  
         
        “The Government’s first and overriding priority is to enhance the welfare and livelihoods of all Indonesians. 
        However, Indonesia acknowledges the common threat all nations face from the specter of global warming, and 
        will pursue domestic emission reduction opportunities provided they are consistent with our development goals 
        and aspirations and with the equity principles and provisions of the UNFCCC,” said Rachmat Witoelar, Minister 
        of Environment and Executive Chair of the DNPI.  
         
        The DNPI study has analyzed emissions and reduction potential in six sectors, and has involved more than 150 
        government, private-sector and NGO participants in sectoral working teams. The study, which is expected to be 
        completed by year-end, estimates Indonesia’s annual GHG emissions in 2005 at 2.3 Giga tons. Emissions will 
        increase to an estimated 3.6 Giga tons by 2030 if there are no changes in the way several sectors are 
        managed, maintaining Indonesia’s position as one of the world’s largest emitters. Global warming, which is 
        caused by excessive GHG emissions, would create many risks for future generations of Indonesians such as 
        increased air pollution, loss of biodiversity, changed rain patterns and more frequent flooding.  
         
        “Building the foundation for a more sustainable economy will involve costs and trade-offs, and require changes 
        in how we manage our forestry, power, transportation and agriculture sectors as well as more effective spatial 
        planning and land-use policies, but it will over time deliver real and significant benefits for Indonesia both 
        domestically and internationally,” said Agus Purnomo, Head of the Secretariat of DNPI. 
         
        The objective of the DNPI study is to analyze and determine the costs of GHG mitigation initiatives Indonesia 
        could potentially pursue. “While Indonesia is committed to a strategy of sustainable development, its mitigation 
        actions will be governed by the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective 
        capabilities which is enshrined in the UNFCCC,” asserts Purnomo. “This study can serve as a platform for a 
        conversation on how we as a nation best address the issue of climate change,” he added. 
         
        By adopting a more sustainable pathway in key sectors - forestry, cement, power, agriculture, transportation, 
        and buildings - Indonesia has the opportunity to provide up to 2.3 Giga tons of GHG reduction opportunities by 
        2030 and by so doing deliver important benefits to Indonesia. These include improved quality of life, greater 
        energy security, new employment opportunities and reduced economic and social risks from global warming.  
         
        Peatland and forestry are by far the largest contributors to Indonesia’s GHG emissions. Emissions from 
        peatland amount to roughly 45% of Indonesia’s current GHG emissions, and forestry accounts for over 35%. 
        The main initiatives for reducing emissions in these sectors are through slowing deforestation and increasing 
        the rate of reforestation on degraded land. If Indonesia were able to realize the full potential of reduction actions 
        of 2.3 Giga tons of GHG by 2030, this would contribute 5% of the total global reduction needed to prevent global 
        warming of more than two degrees centigrade, according to the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on 
        Climate Change. 
         
        “Indonesia can contribute significantly to the solution of what is a global problem. To realize the GHG reduction 
        opportunities, Indonesia needs to 1) actively shape the international negotiations on forestry and peat-related 
        emissions on the basis of equity, 2) develop and pilot regional strategies at home, and 3) increase public 
        awareness of climate change risks and opportunities,” said Minister Witoelar. 
         
         
        About DNPI 
        In July 2008, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono issued Decree #46/2008, 
        establishing the Dewan Nasional Perubahan Iklim (DNPI) or National Council on Climate Change (NCCC). For 
        further information please contact: Agus Purnomo at apurnomo@menlh.go.id / 0811999462    or    Amanda 
        Katili akniode@menlh.go.id / 0811972143.