The Center for Global Development has recently published a book entitled “Why Forests? Why Now? The Science, Economics, and Politics of Tropical Forests and Climate Change” co-authored by Frances Seymour and Jonah Busch. The book covers the science, economics, and politics of forest conservation and finance to underscore the urgency, affordability, and feasibility of scaling up funding for reducing deforestation, particularly through performance-based approaches. In the context of climate change mitigation in Indonesia, financing reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation holds great potential, particularly because land-use change and forestry is one the main sectors contributing to greenhouse gas emissions in Indonesia.

In light of the new findings of the book and to commemorate the International Day of Forests, WRI Indonesia and the Center for Global Development will convene the book launch of Why Forests? Why Now? on March 21, 2017, at 10.00-12.00 at Hotel Borobudur, Timor Room, lobby level, Jalan Lapangan Banteng Selatan No.1, Jakarta 10710.

To discuss the book further, we will have a panel of distinguished experts consisting of:

  • Frances Seymour, author of Why Forests? Why Now?

  • Kindy Rinaldy Syahrir, Head of International Cooperation and Climate Change Finance, Fiscal Policy Agency, Ministry of Finance

  • Laksmi Dhewanthi, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Environment and Forestry on Industry and International Trade, Ministry of Environment and Forestry (TBC)

  • Nirarta Samadhi, Director, WRI Indonesia

  • Sonny Mumbunan, Economist, Research Center for Climate Change, University of Indonesia