House ratifies Kyoto Protocol<\/p>\n
A. Junaidi
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives ratified on Monday the Kyoto
\nProtocol as part of the country's efforts to reduce green house
\ngasses (GHGs) as well as to attract investment and financial
\nassistance from developed countries.<\/p>\n
\"Developing countries, including Indonesia, have no obligation
\nto reduce GHGs. But the Kyoto Protocol gives opportunities to the
\ncountry,\" State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim said
\nin his speech after the House passed the bill.<\/p>\n
Among the opportunities are the transfer of technology on low
\nemissions and investment and financial assistance from developed
\ncountries, which have the obligation to help developing countries
\nadapt to the impacts of climatic changes.<\/p>\n
Nabiel said the opportunities for the developing countries and
\nthe obligation for the developed countries were in line with the
\nprinciple of the Kyoto Protocol: \"Common but differentiated
\nresponsibilities\".<\/p>\n
\"There will be no negative consequences at all, but we will
\nbenefit from the assistance from developed countries,\" Nabiel
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said the protocol would not affect the recently issued
\ngovernment regulation in lieu of law which permits 13 mining
\nfirms to operate in protected forests across the country.<\/p>\n
\"The protocol cannot apply retroactively. I think the permit
\nfor 13 mining firms is a 'historical mistake' which we have to
\nrespect,\" Nabiel said.<\/p>\n
During a plenary session on Monday. the House unanimously
\napproved the bill on the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol,
\nurging President Megawati to sign the bill into law as soon as
\npossible.<\/p>\n
By ratifying the protocol, Indonesia will join 123 other
\ncountries that have adopted the international treaty. But,
\nIndonesia's ratification may have little impact on global warming
\nsince major countries, such as the United States, which
\ncontribute to most of GHGs in the world, have not agreed to
\nratify the protocol.<\/p>\n
The United Development Party faction spokesperson Aisyah Amini
\nsaid her faction hoped the country could benefit from the
\nratification of the Kyoto Protocol.<\/p>\n
\"Since the country is still suffering from the economic
\ncrisis, we should take any opportunity to raise funds for the
\ncountry's development,\" Aisyah told the plenary session.<\/p>\n
The protocol regulates three mechanisms for countries to work
\ntogether to reduce the GHG levels. One is a joint implementation
\namong advanced countries, the second is a clean development
\nmechanism (CDM) between advanced and developing countries, while
\nthe third is emission trading among advanced countries.<\/p>\n
Indonesia could participate in the reduction of GHG emissions
\nvia the CDM.<\/p>\n
The CDM is a financing scheme where advanced countries invest
\nin developing countries to reduce GHG levels as those developed
\ncountries are unable to reduce them further in their own
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
Among the CDM projects are clean energy power plants and
\nreforestation programs.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-ratifies-kyoto-protocol-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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