Delegates at climate talks in Bali are nearing an agreement on guidelines for a pay-and-preserve program for forests as part of efforts to combat global warming, according to Indonesia's foreign minister. The program, known as Reduced Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries (REDD), could potentially allow poor nations to earn billions of dollars by trading carbon credits. Scientists emphasize the importance of preserving forests in the tropics, as they absorb a significant amount of carbon dioxide emissions, which is a major contributor to global warming. Developed countries at the talks expressed enthusiasm for the role of forests in addressing climate change, as stated by Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda. Developed countries and countries with large forest areas have agreed to collaborate on creating a world map, which will involve not only governments but also institutions such as universities and research bodies. Curbing deforestation is a major concern for delegates at Bali, as the Kyoto Protocol does not offer incentives to developing nations for preserving tropical rainforests. The REDD scheme would allow developing nations to receive carbon credits, which can be purchased by wealthy nations to offset their emissions. The main issue at hand is whether future discussions on deforestation should be broadened to include other forms of land use, a proposition supported by the United States but opposed by most developing nations, according to an Indonesian forestry official. The official informed Reuters that the proposal could shift the focus away from forests, complicate the scheme, and cause further delays in its implementation. The Bali meeting has agreed to support individual countries in running projects to prepare for REDD, while also deciding to conduct further research on the issue. The World Bank has initiated plans for a $300 million fund aimed at combating global warming by preserving forests. This includes a $100 million "readiness" fund to provide grants to approximately 20 countries to help them prepare for large-scale forest protection projects. The grants will cover activities such as assessing current forest resources, setting up monitoring systems, and improving governance. Additionally, a separate $200 million "carbon finance mechanism" will enable some countries to implement pilot programs that earn credits for reducing deforestation. According to a recent report backed by the World Bank and Britain's development arm, Indonesia, a strong advocate for REDD, is one of the top three greenhouse gas emitters globally due to deforestation, peatland degradation, and forest fires. Indonesia possesses over 225 million acres (91 million hectares) of forest land, which accounts for approximately 10 percent of the world's remaining tropical forests, as stated by rainforestweb.org, a website focused on rainforests.