All around the world, Indonesia is known for its incredible biodiversity and forests. But government leaders and corporations haven’t always acted to protect these natural treasures, with the result that not only are forests shrinking, but the country’s carbon emissions are growing and putting its lands and forests at greater and greater risk from climate change.
The good news is that the government, landowners, and businesses can take immediate practical steps to cut emissions, protect Indonesia’s citizens and environment, and help solve the climate crisis. And they can do so while helping spur economic development and fighting poverty.
Already, the government has signaled its commitment to helping solve the climate crisis, working to reduce emissions by 26 percent by 2020 from business as usual levels – and up to 41 percent if international support is available. To meet this target, the government has introduced a number of critical land-use policies, including enforcing a moratorium on converting primary natural forests, restoring degraded peatlands, and allocating 12.7 million hectares for social forestry programs.
In Paris, the government went a step further in its nationally determined contribution (NDC) to climate action, pledging to reduce emissions from deforestation, enhance conservation, and support sustainable forestry, among other measures.
Now it’s up to us to support these critical measures and hold the government accountable to its promises in Paris. Because when we protect our lands and forests through smart management and social forestry programs, we’re not just helping protect our extraordinary natural environment in Indonesia, we’re helping protect the planet we share.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Request a presentation on the climate crisis and how we solve it from a Climate Reality Leader.
- Learn about Indonesia’s nationally determined contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement.
- Talk to your friends, family members, colleagues, and neighbors about the importance of protecting Indonesia’s forests and restoring peatlands.
- Support local campaigns for social forestry programs and sustainable land management.
