Indonesia urges advanced countries to join second Kyoto Protocol phase

Jakarta (ANTARA Babel) - Indonesia has called on all developed countries to sign up to the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, ahead of the annual conference on climate change, which will be held starting November 26 through December 7 in Doha, Qatar.

"Indonesia hopes advanced countries would show leadership in saving the Earth from destruction due to climate change, the effects of which are getting stronger every year," Executive Chairman of the Climate Change National Council (DNPI) Rachmat Witoelar said here on Wednesday.

He noted that the global community had not yet reached an agreement on the continuation of Kyoto Protocol.

"Besides, there is no agreement on how long the second phase would last. Some countries want the second phase to last until 2020, but others want to shorten the period in order to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions," Witoelar noted.

"Several countries have even said they would not bind themselves to the second Kyoto Protocol Commitment period. Indonesia, however, hopes the agreement will be effective as of January 1, 2013," he stated.

Witoelar, who is also a presidential envoy for climate change issues, said Indonesia, as a developing country, has taken significant steps to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

"In addition to the Kyoto Protocol, the Doha conference will also discuss the Bali Action Plan, which includes funding provisions, investment, and the transfer of technology for capacity building among developing nations," he pointed out.

"Regarding funding provisions, some advanced nations have committed to provide long-term funding, of up to US$100 million annually, until 2020. The funds will be managed by Green Climate Fund. However, they have not been disbursed yet," Witoelar added.