Indonesia is experiencing deforestation rates of about 680,000 hectares per year and high rates of biodiversity loss, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation representative said.
"It is impossible to win the battle against climate change without doubling our efforts to reduce deforestation in Indonesia," Mark Smulders said on the International Day of Forests.
He said with Indonesia's forests cover half of the country's land surface, it played a critical role in the country being more resilient to climate change.
Smulders said Indonesia's alarming deforestation is drawing international attention, because it is one of the most important tropical forest countries and contributes significantly to the world's supply of oxygen.
The government pledged in 2009 to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 26% unilaterally and by 41% with international support by 2020.
Source: Bangkok Post | 21 March 2015
