The recently signed deal between Norway and Indonesia to save Indonesian forests is expected to protect the environment significantly. It will ensure a cleaner future for Indonesia apart from lower emissions. It will also benefit Singapore very much due to the cleaner air and sky.

The deal was signed between Indonesia and Norway at a ceremony in Oslo on May 26. It is aimed to stop the conversion of Indonesian forests and peat lands into plantations.

As per the deal, Norway will give Indonesia up to US$1 billion ($1.4 billion) for reducing emissions by preserving its forests. Indonesia confirmed that it is ready to suspend its conversion of forests and peat lands into plantations for two years. It is expected that the suspension will start from next year in January.

Indonesia has confirmed that the country is likely to cancel some existing concessions as well. The move is widely welcomed by the environment experts and organizations from across the region.

It will also support United Nations' Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) program which was launched in September 2008. The program's main purpose was to help developing countries to implement plans in order to save their forests.

The initiative has so far provided about US$42 million for projects in eight countries around the world. Indonesia is currently ranked as the third biggest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world. It will help the country in becoming a role model for other countries.