Climate Change and Forest Governance: Lessons from Indonesia

Deforestation in tropical rainforest countries is one of the largest contributors to human-induced climate change. Deforestation, especially in the tropics, contributes around 20 per cent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, and, in the case of Indonesia, amounts to 85 per cent of its annual emissions from human activities. This book provides a comprehensive assessment of the emerging legal and policy frameworks for managing forests as a key means to address climate change.

The authors uniquely combine an assessment of the international rules for forestry governance with a detailed assessment of the legal and institutional context of Indonesia; one of the most globally important test case jurisdictions for the effective roll-out of ‘Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation’ (REDD). Using Indonesia as a key case study, the book explores challenges that heavily forested States face in resource management to address climate mitigation imperatives, such as providing safeguards for local communities and indigenous peoples.

This book will be of great relevance to students, scholars and policymakers with an interest in international environmental law, climate change and environment and sustainability studies in general.

Simon Butt is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Sydney. He is a leading expert in Indonesian law, and has published extensively on constitutional, criminal, civil, human rights, commercial and Islamic law in Indonesia.

Rosemary Lyster is Professor of Climate and Environmental Law at the University of Sydney and is a recognised expert in climate and environmental law, with an extensive publication record in these fields.

Tim Stephens is Professor of International Law at the University of Sydney. He is an international lawyer and geographer who has published extensively in the field of international law, with a particular focus on international environmental law.