Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reaffirmed that Indonesia can raise its target of gas emission reduction to 41 percent from 26 percent in 2020, should there is assistance from developed countries, a local newspaper reported Saturday.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono claimed on Friday that Indonesia remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the environment, despite international differences over the issue, but a comprehensive national plan to reduce emissions remains out of reach. "We realize we have to take steps to save the environment with our own resources and funding. With help from developed countries, we can increase our target. But even without having crunched the numbers, we can't be negligent in protecting the environment," the president was quoted as saying by the Jakarta Globe.

Yudhoyono added that Indonesia should have a concrete plan in place that could be monitored. "This is so we can tell the world that we understand the role we must play for the sake of the environment, and are willing to play it," said Yudhoyono.

The president said several international meetings to discuss the solution had not ended as desired. These included the summits in Kyoto, during which developed countries agreed to reach emissions targets by 2012, and in Copenhagen last year, where no major binding agreement was reached.

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