Indonesia Finally Signs Forest Deforestation Moratorium

Indonesia has finally signed into law a two-year moratorium on deforestation as part of its $1 billion climate deal with Norway.

Norway offered $1 billion to countries that would protect their forests to reduce carbon emissions.

There will be no new permits to clear primary forests or to convert primary forests to peatlands. The moratorium covers 158 million acres (64 million hectares).

The moratorium was supposed to begin on January 1, but government ministries have been arguing over how much land to protect, since cutting forests for palm oil plantations, mining and coal drives the country’s economy.

Details of the moratorium have yet to be released, but there could be various exemptions, such as the extension of old permits.