South Sulawesi Forest Carbon

South Sulawesi set to sell carbon from forest

Andi Hajramurni , The Jakarta Post , Makassar Mon, 06/08/2009 8:06 PM National South Sulawesi is ready to enter the international carbon market next year, which is expected to contribute Rp 5 billion (US$500,000) per month to the regional revenue.Head of the provincial forestry agency, Idris Syukur, said Monday a United Nations-recommended Australian carbon trading consultant, Carbon Strategic Global Limited Pte., was conducting a survey on 1.1 hectares of conservation forests spread across the province’s 23 regencies and municipality to verify their carbon potential.

“In the coming six months, the consultant will be assessing carbon potential of our forests. It will then invite the UN to certify the forests and find prospective buyers,” Idris said.

Idris said the whole process would be completed in less than one year. A part of the revenue from the carbon trade will be used to finance rehabilitation of degraded forests in the province.A ton of carbon stored in a forest is valued at between $10 and $15 in international market.