Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The declaration of intent to establish the Kalimantan Forests and Climate Partnership (KFCP) was signed on 9 September 2007 by the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Alexander Downer and his Indonesian counterpart, Dr Hassan Wirajuda, in the presence of Indonesia's President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

(2) Actual and planned expenditure for the KFCP to the end of financial year 2012-13 is set out below. Expenditure beyond this period is currently being considered by the two governments.

(3) The primary intent of the KFCP is to demonstrate new techniques to drive REDD+ action – the KFCP is not purely an avoided deforestation project. Demonstration activities, all under Village Agreements, to reforest the degraded section of the site are underway. By April 2012, local communities (as a part of the rehabilitation process) will have replanted about 1,050 hectares and produced over 1.4 million seedlings. Some pilot activities to rewet the peat, which will rehabilitate degraded peatland and prevent further deforestation, have also commenced, also under Village Agreements.

(4) The latest factsheet on the KFCP is from April 2011. The Government remains committed to the objectives laid out in the factsheet of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and demonstrating an equitable and effective approach to REDD+ by developing:

(5) The Sumatra Forest Carbon Partnership is currently under active negotiation and design by the governments of Australia and Indonesia. Decisions on possible expenditure under the SFCP will be determined in coming months in consultation with the Indonesian Government.

(6) Same as (5) above.