For Immediate Release

December 7, 2007

Governors Lead Global Efforts To Combat Deforestation & Climate Change

Three governors - two from Indonesia and one from Brazil - jumped ahead of the carbon global market this evening in Bali, Indonesia. At an exclusive gala dinner in the gardens of the Conrad Hotel, Governor Yusuf Irwandi (Aceh, Indonesia), Governor Barnabas Suebu (Papua, Indonesia), Governor Abraham O. Atururi (Papua Barat, Indonesia), Governor Eduardo Braga and Secretary of Environment Virgilio Viana (Amazonas, Brazil), revealed a historic joint declaration supporting exploration of carbon revenues from reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries (REDD).

Dorjee Sun of Carbon Conservation, the host and organizer of the dinner, started the event by welcoming the Governors, the press and explaining that the dinner was an incredible opportunity to merge financial, good governance, and environmental principles.

Governor Suebu said that rather than wait for the diplomatic standoff between Developed and Developing Countries who are bickering about responsibility to reduce emissions, he and his green governor colleagues were moving forward. Governor Suebu hoped the collective actions of the governors would spark deeper cuts and more countries would become engaged in emission reductions.

Governor Irwandi stated that as governor of Aceh, he would continue to pursue a policy where no logging would occur under his watch, legal or illegal. He also discussed his “Green Aceh” program, which would begin a massive effort to plant new trees, operate sustainable community forestry, welcome sustainable industries and maximize potential revenues from REDD credits.

Finally, Governor Braga said his State would pursue a vision of developing livelihoods of people, reducing poverty and preserving forests. He suggested that as a collaborative partnership, each Province/State would learn from the others’ experiences.
 
The governors then signed a declaration, affirming their commitment to work together.