Indonesia’s REDD+ Strategy: Leading Forest Conservation and Climate Action
The growing reality of the climate crisis is forcing the world to reconsider how we treat nature, especially forests. One global initiative that has emerged as a concrete solution is REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), a framework negotiated under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This program represents a meeting point between forest conservation and climate change mitigation strategies through an incentive-based scheme for developing countries.
REDD+ is an evolution of the original RED initiative, which initially focused solely on reducing emissions from deforestation. Over time, its scope was expanded to include conservation, sustainable forest management, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. Thus, REDD+ was born as a more holistic approach to preserving the ecological functions of forests.
In Indonesia, REDD+ is not just a concept—it has been implemented as a national strategy. The government has established a dedicated agency and developed policies for sustainable forest management. The national REDD+ strategy aims to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation while balancing environmental protection with community welfare.
One tangible step is the establishment of the Environmental Fund Management Agency (BPDLH), which manages funds from international cooperation to support REDD+ activities. Through this agency, Indonesia can distribute funds to forest conservation projects, peatland restoration, and community empowerment programs around forest areas.
The government has also launched the National REDD+ Strategy (Stranas REDD+), which is built on five main pillars: strengthening forest governance, improving land management, protecting natural forests, building capacity, and implementing a national system for monitoring and reporting. This strategy serves as a reference for ministries, local governments, and international partners in implementing conservation programs.
Additionally, Indonesia has imposed a moratorium on new permits in primary forests and peatlands as a concrete effort to prevent deforestation. This is supported by the enhancement of a national forest monitoring system based on satellite technology to track forest cover in real time and with transparency.
Equally important, the government is also developing the FCPF Carbon Fund program in collaboration with the World Bank. This program targets performance-based emission reductions in several provinces, including East Kalimantan, Jambi, and South Sumatra. It opens up opportunities for Indonesia to receive incentives based on successful emissions reductions in the forestry sector.
Through these various initiatives, Indonesia has shown a strong commitment to integrating REDD+ into national policy. These efforts are not only aimed at preserving the world’s lungs but also at creating a more sustainable future for both communities and the environment.
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