Press Release CSF, Copenhagen, December 17, 2009
Entering the second week of COP15, Danish police have been demonstrating iron-fist measures to expression of dissent. Until today, arrest and harassment to peaceful civil protesters continue. Heavy handed act would have not been possible without endorsement by people and institutions in power, including those who watch in silent.
Showing off power has been the feature of climate negotiations, particularly during Copenhagen COP15. From physical presence of rich countries delegates – at the Bella conference Centre the US and EU countries delegates occupy office space equal to the space shared by the rest of the world delegates – to their delaying tactic in making commitment to the next phase of Kyoto Protocol and attempt to kill it, their message is clear: the rich rules, hence the domination.
People's expectations were high to climate negotiations in COP 15 as we have planetary deadline to act on climate change. We would have seen a major turning point coming out of the talk. However, instead of common climate agreement for the good of us all, we have to witness arm-twisting by the dominant countries demanding political and economic ransom.
In the last days of COP15 we are entering critical moment when the head of States flocking in to seal the deal. We, the Indonesian Civil Society Forum on Climate Justice, urge the Government of Indonesia (GoI) not to be trapped in false deal. We have been following GoI moves to embrace offsetting wholeheartedly as a solution approach in which we beg to differ. We believe shifting one's problems away to other's backyard will not get us out of the problem. We are also aware of market-based initiatives such as trading carbon stock from our forest as in REDD and similar scheme has been cooked up in marine sector. Apart from the 'official' reason of protecting the resources, those have been put forward under pretext of gaining funding to finance Indonesia's natural resources management reform. We believe this approach will not be effective with the absence of political will to eradicate rampant corruption in all sector. Furthermore, we believe it is wrong to rely on carbon trading for fundraising, especially when the market is volatile. We do not have time and an alternative planet to risk with such an experiment.
There is also concern in the corridor talk between delegates that Indonesia may play the role of the 'Yes Man' to rich countries and split further the position of countries asking for real climate solutions. The truth is not far from the alarmist thought as the Indonesian government has been persistent with its profit seeking approach in climate deal.
We, therefore, urge the President of Indonesia, DR Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to:
stop selling and pawning out the country through false solutions
stand behind those who seek for just and fair climate agreements and refuse to be used as the puppet of rich countries
Mr President, there are millions of Indonesian waiting for your genuine commitment to rescue our already-marginalised livelihood so we can adapt to the impact of climate change with dignity.
* The Indonesian Civil Society Forum on Climate Justice is a coalition of 30 Civil Society Organisations fighting for climate justice. It was born in the run-up to Bali COP 13 2007. Contacts:
Giorgio B Indrarto (
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) - +62 813 8577 0196
Siti Maimunah (
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) - +62 811 920 462 |
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