REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BALIKPAPAN -- Norway is still committed to its US$1 billion grant for Indonesia, Norwegian Ambassador Stig Traavik has said.

"About 95 percent of the funds are still available," the ambassador who is one of the key speakers of a green economy discussion here, said Thursday.

The meeting was organized by East Kalimantan's Regional Council for Climate Change (DDPI) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia.

The Norwegian government has pledged Indonesia US$1 billion with regard to its efforts to preserve its forests.

An international climate change convention was held in Bali in 2007 that gave birth to the Reduction of Emission from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) scheme as a way for countries to control emissions.

It further developed into the Reducing Emissions under the Deforestation and Degradation Plus (REDD-Plus) scheme.

As part of the REDD-Plus scheme, the governments of Indonesia and Norway signed in Oslo in May 2010 a Letter of Intent (LoI) on forest conservation worth US$1 billion as a joint commitment to overcoming climate change.

In the REDD-Plus scheme, Norway will provide up to US$1 billion in grant for Indonesia to protect its forests.

Compared with other countries, Indonesia has been mentioned as the most progressive in carrying out the program.

"As soon as Indonesia is ready, the funds will be disbursed," the Norwegian ambassador said. The funds will be provided to communities carrying out the environment programs.

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