INDONESIA can finally let out a sigh of relief. Its proposal, Reduce Emission from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD), proceeded smoothly at the recent UN climate change conference in Bali. Incentive funds to conserve forests will soon be flowing. The objective will be to prevent large-scale carbon emissions by preventing forest fires and unplanned land clearances.

Yet, many proposals never made it in Bali. Even the REDD proposal was blocked by