Low Carbon Development Models in Indonesia

The IKI project Peat and Mangrove Ecosystems focuses on mitigation, adaptation through conservation, and sustainable livelihoods in Indonesia's peat and mangrove ecosystems and has now officially been completed following three years of implementation.

Activities included support in policy strengthening, capacity enhancement, economic empowerment of communities, as well as biodiversity protection and conservation. 

Successful management of 742,234 hectares of peat and mangrove ecosystems 

The IKI-project, which was led by Konservasi Indonesia in collaboration with Wetlands International Indonesia (WII) and The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), successfully supported the widespread retention and effective management of peat and mangrove ecosystems over a total area of 742,234 hectares.

This was achieved through enhanced conservation and sustainable utilization in pilot provinces, namely North Sumatra, West Papua, and part of Southwest Papua – after provincial split. Interventions were conducted through the facilitation of policy strengthening in the West Papua Provincial Forest Management Plan and the implementation of Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tools (SMART) Patrol activities, while peat restoration was completed in the South Tapanuli District, North Sumatra.

More than 2,500 participants in more than 100 capacity building training sessions 

A total of 2,500 people from the three provinces received capacity building through 98 training sessions in West Papua and 30 training sessions in South Tapanuli. The training  covered product diversification, such as fish and duck cultivation, block compost, fragrant lemongrass oil, tapioca-based straws, and eco-printing as a sustainable livelihood activity in the peat and mangrove ecosystems. Thanks to the training provided by the project, people from the provinces also improved their skills in the repair and maintenance of outboard motors and gillnet repair, as well as their ability to identify and monitor the potential of natural resources.

"Projects like this IKI project provide immense support for the Indonesian Government’s agenda and achievements in Low Carbon Development, Climate Resilience Development, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We hope that other provinces can replicate the success of the IKI project, which will ultimately contribute to Indonesia's climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts," stated Nur Hygiawati Rahayu, Director of Forestry and Water Resources at the Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS).”

Based on the data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), North Sumatra Province currently has approximately 38,205 hectares of mangrove and 526,701 hectares of peat. Specifically for peat ecosystems, optimised management is still required for 99.76% of them, t as North Sumatra is the eighth province in terms of peatland area nationwide. Meanwhile, in West Papua and Southwest Papua, the peatland area amounts to 957,826 hectares, while mangrove covers 91,120 hectares, and peat associated with mangrove covers an area of 332,407 hectares. With these vast areas, West Papua and Southwest Papua become the second province after Papua Province, which has the largest and widest peat and mangrove areas in Indonesia.

Establishing the Wetland Strategic Coordination Team

Executive Chair of Konservasi Indonesia, Meizani Irmadhiany, expressed that the collaboration with BAPPENAS through the IKI project has resulted in the successful formation of the Wetland Strategic Coordination Team. The team subsequently produced the National Strategy for Peat and Mangrove Wetland Ecosystems document which was launched in early February.

"We also support the West Papua Provincial Forest Management Plan, which guarantees the prevention of peat and mangrove conversion across an area of 388,341 hectares," said Meizani.

Meizani added that Konservasi Indonesia and the private sector in North Sumatra has also completed a peat restoration plan for an additional 350 hectares, which is currently being implemented. "During the biodiversity assessment, we discovered 7 endangered species (based on IUCN categories) in potential sustainable locations. The success of community understanding in preserving mangrove and peat ecosystems will significantly enhance adaptive capacity to future climate change," explained Meizani.

At the same time, the Programme Coordinator of Wetlands Restoration and Community Development at the WII, Eko Budi Priyanto, explained that the IKI-PME project has conducted pilot projects for peatland protection and restoration in collaboration with local communities. The WII plays a crucial role in this project for the South Tapanuli region.

"In detail, the activities we accomplished in North Sumatra, led to peatland improvements in Muara Manompas. Successful peat restoration was conducted in collaboration with the community through the planting of native peatland crops, known as Palludiculture, on an area of 200 hectares," said Eko.