The government of Indonesia has committed to reducing the level of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 29% unconditionally with a target date of 2030 against the business as usual scenario and conditionally up to 41% with international support. Approaching the land-based sector would be one of the strategic solutions towards achieving GHG Emission reduction outlined in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Based on the NDC, Forestry sector will be the largest contribution to reducing the emission up to 2030. Forest areas in Indonesia are divided into 321 Forest Management Units (FMUs) and of these, only 131 FMUs have long-term work plans put in place to manage forests. This is attributed to the lack of capacities of forest managers in developing business plans. FMUs are expected to play important roles in the implementation of mitigation and adaptation actions to achieve contribution from the forestry sector to a national target of NDC.
The PIA signing ceremony between AFoCO and the Forest Research and Development Center of the Forest Research Development and Innovation Agency (FRDC of FORDA) on 24 July marked the launch of the project on “Innovative Solutions for Climate Change and Biodiversity Landscape Strategy to Support SDGs in Indonesia”.
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Ricardo L. Calderon, Executive Director of the AFoCO Secretariat, and Dr. Agus Justianto, Director General of the Forestry and Environment Research Development and Innovation Agency, under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia.
The project will aim to:
- Establish baseline information by mapping the existing biophysical (spatial-temporal), socio-economic condition (before and after the project), and potency of natural resources in the three study sites in the beginning of the project;
- Facilitate the preparation of business plans of the Forest Management Units (FMUs) at three study sites;
- Develop demonstration plots of at least 10 ha in each study site for carbon stock enhancement in FMUs or Forest Area with Specific Purpose (KHDTK) areas; and
- Transfer techniques and raise awareness of project model establishment to relevant stakeholders through the synthesis of knowledge and experiences, recommendations on policy practices, and dissemination of project outputs.
This project will apply innovative solutions on sustainable management practices and enhance the capacities of Forest Management Units (FMUs) and local communities in contributing to Indonesia’s emissions reduction targets and improve biodiversity landscapes to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDGs 1, 8, 13 and 15.
Following the signing of the PIA, the IA will facilitate the inception arrangements for the project. In line with the AFoCO’s mission and vision, AFoCO and Indonesia will continue to develop stronger relationships and partnerships through this project.
