Indonesia at the crossroads: Climate change and its challenges

The Jakarta Post, Tue, 03/23/2010 4:11 PM

During the global economic G8 Summit in Pittsburgh last September, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono declared, for the first time, that Indonesia would reduce its carbon emissions by 26 percent in 2020, with the bulk of those reductions coming from the forestry sector, i.e. about 13.3 percent. While we applaud the President’s commitment to curbing greenhouse gas emissions, we are anxious to see how this vision shall become a reality.

In the wake of the President’s announcement, a number of national and regional policies have been introduced that could actually work against the 26 percent target. Last month, for example, the government regulation concerning the usage of forest estates was enacted, allowing open cast mining in production forest and underground mining in both protection and production forest.

In addition, the Agriculture Ministry, to stimulate large-scale investment in agriculture, is planning to open 1.6 million hectares of food production estates in Merauke where companies will grow, process and package their products in one location (The Jakarta Post, March 9). The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has also declared that Indonesia will continue to use coal as its primary source of energy for at least a few years to come. And across the country, healthy forests are being cleared for palm oil plantations at an alarming rate.

As an emerging world economy, Indonesia is struggling to find the best way to balance its need for national development with the vision of lowering its greenhouse gas emissions and becoming a world leader in the fight against climate change.

It will not be easy, but such a balance of economic, social and environmental needs can — and must — be reached through strong leadership from all levels of government, as well as from businesses and communities.

Leadership and vision are tightly linked. Vision is what guides us to reach our goals. Hence, the vision that has been set by the President should be held as a guide to the development of the country.

However, the policies recently enacted to expand energy and agriculture production at the expense of our nation’s forest resources suggest that the President’s vision has not been embraced by the key players of our nation’s development.

We do not have to sacrifice our forests as our country continues to develop. In fact, conserving our forests can be the key to meeting the country’s social and economic needs, while making Indonesia a world leader in addressing climate change.

Along with serving a vital role in reducing emissions, Indonesia’s forests provide food, water, shelter and income to millions across the country who rely on forests for survival.

And Indonesia’s forests are home to some of the world’s most diverse plant and animal species including the iconic and threatened orangutans. Yet, Indonesia’s rate of deforestation is one of the highest on earth.

The good news is, the government is developing and implementing strategies in some areas of the country that protect the nation’s vital forests while allowing economic development.

In the district of Berau, for instance, national and local government agencies are seriously considering the implementation of “land swaps” with palm oil producers to locate plantations on already degraded land rather than clearing healthy, pristine, natural forests.

Furthermore, with assistance from some NGOs, the government is working with logging companies in Berau to teach sustainable techniques such as identification of high conservation value forest and reduced impact logging, which not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also keep forests intact and more productive — resulting in even greater profits.

The government can urge the mining industries to implement best practices in mining operations by limiting the number of mining sites and not practicing open pit mining. Degraded land can be the best option for the development of infrastructure and agriculture.

These are just a few innovative strategies that can drive economic, social and environmental development. But much more needs to be done. Our government should incorporate such sustainable strategies into all its development plans, including improving spatial planning.

Indonesia is at a historic crossroads, transitioning in its democracy, transitioning in its development and transitioning to find its role within the international arena.

It is transforming from a developing country to an emerging economic powerhouse. In this period of constant change, a clear vision and strong leadership become even more important.

If we want to become a world leader in addressing climate change, while also developing our economy, our leaders need to embrace and expand the sustainable use of our forests.

Improving our forestry laws and other regulations that are in contradiction with the 2020 vision is necessary so that we can fulfill our promises to the Indonesian people as well as the international community.

Damayanti Buchori is the lead scientist for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Indonesia Forest Program. The Nature Conservancy is a non-profit organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.