Widodo reinforces Indonesia’s One Map policy in Paris climate change address

JAKARTA: Indonesian President Joko Widodo said the country will use its One Map policy to govern land and forest areas, during a speech to world leaders at the UN climate summit in Paris.

The one map initiative began under Indonesia’s previous administration and was aimed at helping resolve disagreements resulting from the use of different data and maps, which often cause land disputes.

Speaking on Monday (Nov 30), Mr Widodo said he also intends to enforce the moratorium on forests, and review the issuance of peatland permits.

“As a country with one of the largest forest areas acting as the lung of the world, Indonesia is here today as part of the solution,” he said.

“My government is developing Indonesia in a way that is giving due attention to the environment.”

Indonesia has attracted strong criticism from activist groups and citizens about a failure to seriously address the annual choking haze, which affects large swathes of the country, caused largely by slash-and-burn land clearing.

Palembang, South Sumatra shrouded by haze in October (Photo: Jack Board)

The country at one point this year topped the world’s list of greenhouse gas emitters, a result of the forest fires in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Papua.

Envrionmental groups have also argued that Indonesia’s climate targets lack clear baselines or ways for the country to cut its pollution output, a sign that the government is not serious about its green efforts.

In his speech, Mr Widod added that the forest fires this year were worsened by the El Nino phenomenon and would not alter Indonesia’s commitment to reduce emissions by 29 per cent from business as usual levels by 2030.

The president said he was committed to giving strong political support for the success of COP21, however, said the Paris agreement should be balanced and fair, and not impede growth of developing countries. 

He urged all parties to contribute more to mitigate climate change, especially developed nations, by mobilising the US$100 billion fund until 2020, and assist in the transfer of technology and capacity building.