House ratifies Kyoto Protocol
A. Junaidi, Jakarta
The House of Representatives ratified on Monday the Kyoto Protocol as part of the country's efforts to reduce green house gasses (GHGs) as well as to attract investment and financial assistance from developed countries.
"Developing countries, including Indonesia, have no obligation to reduce GHGs. But the Kyoto Protocol gives opportunities to the country," State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim said in his speech after the House passed the bill.
Among the opportunities are the transfer of technology on low emissions and investment and financial assistance from developed countries, which have the obligation to help developing countries adapt to the impacts of climatic changes.
Nabiel said the opportunities for the developing countries and the obligation for the developed countries were in line with the principle of the Kyoto Protocol: "Common but differentiated responsibilities".
"There will be no negative consequences at all, but we will benefit from the assistance from developed countries," Nabiel said.
He said the protocol would not affect the recently issued government regulation in lieu of law which permits 13 mining firms to operate in protected forests across the country.
"The protocol cannot apply retroactively. I think the permit for 13 mining firms is a 'historical mistake' which we have to respect," Nabiel said.
During a plenary session on Monday. the House unanimously approved the bill on the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, urging President Megawati to sign the bill into law as soon as possible.
By ratifying the protocol, Indonesia will join 123 other countries that have adopted the international treaty. But, Indonesia's ratification may have little impact on global warming since major countries, such as the United States, which contribute to most of GHGs in the world, have not agreed to ratify the protocol.
The United Development Party faction spokesperson Aisyah Amini said her faction hoped the country could benefit from the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.
"Since the country is still suffering from the economic crisis, we should take any opportunity to raise funds for the country's development," Aisyah told the plenary session.
The protocol regulates three mechanisms for countries to work together to reduce the GHG levels. One is a joint implementation among advanced countries, the second is a clean development mechanism (CDM) between advanced and developing countries, while the third is emission trading among advanced countries.
Indonesia could participate in the reduction of GHG emissions via the CDM.
The CDM is a financing scheme where advanced countries invest in developing countries to reduce GHG levels as those developed countries are unable to reduce them further in their own countries.
Among the CDM projects are clean energy power plants and reforestation programs.