Funds sought for fighting effects of global warming<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): While observing serious threats of global
\nwarming here, experts on Monday called for the importance of
\nforeign assistance in financing rehabilitation projects on the
\nadverse effects of global climatic changes.<\/p>\n
Agroclimatologist from the Bogor Institute of Agriculture
\n(IPB) Rizaldi Boer said there was actually a nonlimited budget
\nprovided by an international agency, the Global Environment
\nFacility (GEF), to finance projects of anticipating or
\nrehabilitating the effect of global climatic changes.<\/p>\n
\"But, unfortunately the GEF funds are difficult to obtain as
\nthe funding countries seem reluctant to disburse them.<\/p>\n
\"The mechanism is complicated. There are so many criterions
\nthat we have to fulfill. It's very frustrating,\" Rizaldi, who was
\nonce a consultant for GEF, said.<\/p>\n
\"But, as long as we can prove that the environmental damage
\nwas caused by global climatic changes, we can propose for the
\nfund,\" he said on the sidelines of a seminar.<\/p>\n
He cited that the GEF funds, which is contributed by developed
\nor industrialized countries, are worth million of dollars.<\/p>\n
\"The GEF funds are given in respect of the fact that developed
\ncountries contribute 75 percent of the total global carbon
\ndioxide emission, while the developing countries bear the
\neffect,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately on Monday, Deputy Environment Minister for
\nEnvironmental Management Daniel Murdiarso said the GEF had
\npromised the Ministry of Environment over US$300,000 a few years
\nago, but the funds had yet to be disbursed.<\/p>\n
\"The mechanism of the fund disbursement is handled by the
\ndeveloped countries. We want it simplified so that we can receive
\nthe funds faster and more easily,\" Daniel told reporters.<\/p>\n
\"Ministries which are related to problems caused by climatic
\nchanges are themselves not familiar with GEF or its funds,\"
\nRizaldi said. This, he added, also contributed to the problem.<\/p>\n
He also cited the inability of the Indonesian institutions to
\nmake good and strong proposals for the GEF fund disbursement.<\/p>\n
\"China and Malaysia could secure the GEF funds because they
\nhad made good and feasible proposals,\" Rizaldi cited.<\/p>\n
In China, he said, the government held regular meetings with
\nrelated institutions to gather ideas and suggestions.<\/p>\n
\"But, China has also been pressuring GEF,\" he added.<\/p>\n
\"While over here, two institutions have made two separate
\nproposals on the same issue. They have refused to work together
\nto submit a single proposal,\" Rizaldi said without elaborating.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, we have to strengthen coordination among
\ngovernment institutions.\" (hdn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/funds-sought-for-fighting-effects-of-global-warming-1447893297",
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