Restoring and conserving Katingan Peatland in Indonesia

Why this project?

Tropical peatlands store large amounts of carbon, but when cleared for development, they release greenhouse gases. In Indonesian Borneo, the expansion of plantations on peatlands contributes to a significant portion of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. The Katingan Peatland Restoration and Conservation Project aims to protect and restore large areas of peatland and plant trees, providing sustainable income for locals and addressing climate change. The project preserves and improves CO₂ storage and removal, stabilizes water flows, prevents peat fires, enriches soil nutrients, and ensures clean water availability.

Protecting a carbon sink

The Katingan Mentaya Peatland Restoration and Conservation Project has a significant impact on reducing and removing CO₂ emissions. By protecting and restoring large areas of peatland ecosystems, the project prevents the release of CO₂. The peatlands store vast amounts of carbon, and by preserving them, the project helps mitigate climate change by keeping the stored carbon out of the atmosphere. The project also reforests an area of 4,433 ha, further contributing to CO₂ removal. The project is estimated to result in GHG emission reductions and removals equivalent to 7,451,846 tCO₂e over the project crediting period (till 2070).

Protecting biodiversity for local communities

The biodiversity criteria for the project include globally significant concentrations of biodiversity values, large landscape-level areas with various populations of species, and threatened or rare ecosystems. The project zone in Indonesian Borneo contains diverse habitats and supports numerous endangered and critically endangered species. Under the baseline scenario, the area would be cleared for industrial plantations, causing a catastrophic impact on biodiversity. The project scenario, however, aims to protect the entire area and restore degraded sections, ensuring the long-term survival of the habitat and species. The project implements measures to control illegal hunting, protect intact forests, and promote sustainable practices to enhance biodiversity within the wider project zone.

The Katingan Mentaya Peatland Project brings meaningful socio-economic benefits to local communities. By offering sustainable sources of income, the project creates livelihood opportunities for the residents. The protection and restoration of the peatland ecosystems ensure the preservation of valuable natural resources, such as clean water and soil fertility, which directly benefit the local population of the project area. Additionally, the project's engagement with communities, government, and industries promotes sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to long-term economic stability and improved living conditions.