West Kalimantan gets Rp1 trillion climate incentive for cutting emissions and deforestation

Pontianak, Thekabarnews.com—The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has given the West Kalimantan provincial government a reward of about Rp1 trillion. This award is because the government was able to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and slow down deforestation from 2014 to 2016.

Governor Ria Norsan announced the award at the start of the REDD+ program in Pontianak. He said that the GCF’s Kick-off Result-Based Payment (RBP) REDD+ program is a smart way to help fight climate change and adapt to it. In addition, the program also promotes performance-based environmental management.

This program is a big step forward for West Kalimantan, which is in the middle of Borneo. 

“This incentive shows that we were able to cut emissions and stop deforestation between 2014 and 2016,” Norsan said.

Norsan said that the money will be used to fix ecosystems and make the environment better. “We want to make the world a better place so that the air we breathe every day stays clean,” he said.

West Kalimantan’s huge tropical forests are important for the climate in both Indonesia and the world. Because the area is crucial for protecting biodiversity and absorbing carbon, it is essential to preserve the forests. The governor did say, though, that it has become harder to fix environmental problems in the last few years.

Mining, illegal logging, and cutting down trees are still threats to natural landscapes. These stresses show how important it is to manage property in a way that is beneficial for the environment. Moreover, it is necessary to enforce the law more strictly, along with community-based conservation programs.

The REDD+ program wants to reduce emissions from cutting down trees and damaging forests. It also aims to enhance the management of forests and assist the local population. The system gives cash prizes to regions that do a good job of protecting forests and using natural resources wisely.

People think that the Rp1 trillion incentive is a good example of how international climate funds can directly help local environmental efforts. People expect the money to specifically support programs that strike a balance between conservation and economic growth. It will also help with forest monitoring and restoration efforts.

The GCF’s choice of West Kalimantan also makes it more well-known as an important environmental buffer in Borneo. Additionally, the provincial government hopes that the program will inspire people to keep working to protect forests and lower carbon emissions in the long run. This way, the environment will not have to pay for economic growth.