President Jokowi Unveils Indonesia’s Steps to Reach Net Carbon Sink in Forestry, Land Sectors

INDUSTRY.co.id - Indonesia is taking systematic and innovative steps in achieving a net carbon sink or net carbon absorption in the forestry and land sectors by 2030, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

He further said that Indonesia combines economic and social considerations as well as cooperation with the community in sustainable forest management.

“The forestry sector is chosen because 34 percent of villages in Indonesia are located on the borders of or in forests, and millions of Indonesian people depend on the forestry sector. To meet this target, we are taking systematic and innovative steps,” said the President in his speech at the Presidency Session on Protecting Nature for Climate, Lives, and Livelihoods at the World Climate Action Summit (WCAS) COP28 at the Al Waha Theatre, Expo City Dubai, Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saturday (12/02).

Speaking before the state leaders, President Jokowi explained the efforts that Indonesia has been making to achieve the target. He added that, among other things, Indonesia has implemented a permanent moratorium on forest clearing covering around 66 million hectares of primary forest and peatland since 2019.

“We have also rehabilitated 3 million hectares of degraded land and 3 million hectares of peatland. Now the results are starting to be felt. Indonesia’s deforestation rate has reduced by 75 percent, the lowest in the last 20 years. Next year, we are targeting the rehabilitation of 600 thousand hectares of mangrove land,” he said.

Furthermore, President Jokowi emphasized that forests and land must be part of climate action through a number of perspectives. He highlighted the importance of mobilizing support from developing countries in managing forests and land sustainably.

“Support must be country-driven based on the real needs of the countries that own the forests. We appreciate UAE’s support in building the Mohamed bin Zayed International Mangrove Research Center in Indonesia,” he said.

Furthermore, President Jokowi said that trade barriers are not an effort to overcome climate change. He said that those two things could progress side by side.

“It is important to build trust and collaboration between the global north and global south, as well as to encourage sustainable development in developing countries,” said President Jokowi.

In addition, President Jokowi encouraged state leaders to continue collaborating and initiating cooperation in forestry sector. He also added that Indonesia is open to sharing experiences in forest and land management.

“Indonesia has initiated trilateral cooperation in forestry sector that involves Indonesia, Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo. And we are also ready to share experiences and knowledge in forest and land management,” he remarked.