US and Indonesia sign 'debt-for-nature' deal

The US government has signed a new deal with Indonesia aimed at helping the country improve its conservation efforts.

Under the Tropical Forest Conservation Act, Indonesia will have almost $30 million (£18 million) of its debt written off by the US in exchange for the south-east Asian country carrying out more concerted efforts to preserve its rainforests and protect its endangered species.

Over the course of the next eight years, Indonesia's payments to the US will be reduced, with any savings made being donated to Conservation International and the Indonesian Biodiversity Foundation.

As part of the deal, Indonesia has pledged to protect and restore its tropical forests, many of which are being destroyed by paper and oil palm plantations.

The agreement is reported to be the largest debt-for-nature initiative set up by the US since 1998 and the first of its kind in Indonesia.

Rhett Butler, founder and editor of Mongabay, recently stated in Yale Environment 360 that deforestation in south-east Asia is putting orangutans' natural habitats at risk.

Written by Sandra Mann

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