Indonesia calls COP26 zero-deforestation pledge 'unfair': None can stop economic progress

Indonesia has recently voiced criticism over COP26 deal to eliminate deforestation by year 2030, just after signing agreement with over 100 or nations. During climate summit in Glasgow this week, countries agreed on a multibillion-dollar proposal to end industrial-scale forest cutting in less than a dece. However, Minister of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, said on Wednesday that "forcing Indonesia to zero deforestation in 2030 is clearly inappropriate and unfair," Guardian reported. 

Furrmore, as per BBC, Bakar stated that government could not "promise what we can't do". Even though during summit  Indonesian President Joko Widodo has signed forest deal, yet she stated that development will remain Indonesia's top goal.  

'No agreement could stop economic progress'

Environment Minister Bakar went on to say that deforestation could be described in a variety of ways and that no agreement could stop economic progress. Huge developmental initiatives have been taken by President and this must not be halted in name of carbon emissions or deforestation, she ded. 

south-east Asian archipelago, Indonesia comprises nearly world’s third-biggest rainforest, quoting Bakar, Guardian reported, “Indonesia’s natural wealth, including forests, must be managed for its use according to sustainable principles, besides being fair.” In dition, Mahendra Siregar, Indonesia's deputy foreign affairs minister, stated that agreement of zero-deforestation commitment is “false and misleing”, as per BBC. 

Forest deal yo end deforestation by 2030

According to Guardian, deal which was signed by Indonesia and or countries stated that leers pledged “to work collectively to halt and reverse forest loss and land degration by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation”.  deal has almost £14 billion which is nearly $19.2 billion in public and private money to invest in saving forests. 

Meanwhile, Experts have praised initiative and warned that pledges should be kept, according to BBC, after notifying against a previous deal inked in 2014, which h failed to decrease deforestation. Chopping down trees reduces forests, which les to climate shifts since y are unable to absorb huge amounts of global warming gas CO2.  Furr, Prime Minister of United Kingdom Boris Johnson has described accord as a landmark agreement to safeguard and regenerate Earth's forests. 

As per Global Forest Watch, a tracking website, in year 2001, country possessed roughly 94 million hectares of forest area -- classified as tropical forest -- which has not been totally chopped, yet, by 2020, that area has reduced by at least 10%..

(Image: AP/ Twitter/ @SitiNurbayaLHK)