Kapil Sibal intervenes successfully in guiding the conclusion on REDD at climate change conference in Bali

Denudation of forests or deforestation is very important from climate change perspective as this constitutes about 20% of the total global emissions. Global emission due to deforestation can be addressed in two principal ways- first by reducing rate of deforestation, and second by intensification of conservation efforts. India has a very strong policy framework as regards conservation of forests. The Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries (REDD) mechanism proposes mobilization of resources particularly by the developed countries to provide incentives for these efforts in the developing countries.

Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and Shri Namo Narain Meena, Minister of State for Environment met Mr Rachmat Witoelar, Indonesian Environment Minister and President of CoP/MoP, UNFCCC and shared the concerns of Parties on REDD matters being deliberated upon in CoP at Bali. They emphasised the importance of forest conservation especially in the Asia- Pacific region and Africa, besides other parts of the world. The Leaders agreed that sustainable management of forests leading to conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks needed to be an important part of the proposed REDD mechanism.

Indian delegation under the guidance of Shri Kapil Sibal successfully negotiated the Conclusion on REDD agenda item taking due note of the Indian interest in conservation and development of forests which is vital for sustaining the livelihoods of more than 200 million forest dependent people. Besides India, many countries like China, Pakistan, Brazil, Bhutan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Costa Rica and Thailand supported the proposal for moving ahead with the concept of conservation, and increase in forest cover under the REDD. Indian contribution in reaching a positive conclusion of the long pending REDD agenda from last two years was much appreciated by all parties.

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : December 12, 2007