(Carbon Positive) - Indonesia has drafted rules to govern a ban on forest and peatland clearing, although the proposed regulations still leave some confusion over how tightly the prohibition will apply.

Uncertainty has prevailed since May over the Indonesian government’s announcement of a deal with Norway for a moratorium on deforesting activity for two years - in return for a $1 billion grant for forest protection and the establishment of REDD+ capacity. Observers have been waiting to learn the full extent of the ban on new concessions to clear land for forestry, mining and agriculture and the status of already granted concessions.

The clearing of rainforest and peatlands in tropical developing countries makes a large contribution to world greenhouse gas emissions, most recently estimated to be 15 per cent of the total annual volume.

Draft rules released yesterday in the form of a series of proposed presidential decrees spell out the detail but still contain apparent contradictions. One decree states the two-year moratorium will apply to new permits and permit extensions for converting peatland, natural forest, conversion forest, protected forest, production forest, and production forest that is convertible and outside these areas, Reuters reports.

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