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Planned Deforestation in Indonesia
Context: Indonesia is planning to clear an area of forests about the size of Belgium (approximately 30,689 square kilometers) to create bioethanol, rice, and other food crops. This project is part of Indonesia’s broader goal to improve its food security and energy self-sufficiency, but it raises significant concerns for the environment and Indigenous communities that rely on these lands.
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- Massive Deforestation: The project involves the largest deforestation operation currently planned in the world, according to environmental watchdogs.
- Indigenous Communities at Risk: Local communities report harm from the government-backed project, fearing displacement and loss of livelihood.
Indonesia’s Food Estate Projects
- Food Estates: Indonesia has been developing food estates—large plantations designed to ensure food security—for decades. These estates have had varying levels of success, and they were revived by former President Joko Widodo during his 2014-2024 administration.
- Expansion Under President Prabowo Subianto: The current president has expanded the food estate concept to include crops for bioethanol production, aligning with Indonesia’s ambition to develop more renewable energy sources.
Indonesia’s Bioethanol Ambitions
- Bioethanol as Renewable Fuel: Bioethanol, a fuel derived from plants like sugarcane or corn, plays a key role in decarbonising transport, particularly in sectors like trucking, shipping, and aviation. The International Energy Agency (IEA) recognises biofuels as important for reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Sustainability Concerns: The IEA also stresses the need for biofuel expansion to minimise land use and food impacts to ensure it is developed sustainably. This is a particular concern in Indonesia due to its history of environmental degradation linked to industrial development.
Environmental Concerns
- Past Deforestation: Since 1950, over 74 million hectares of Indonesia’s rainforest have been logged, burned, or degraded for the development of commodities such as palm oil, paper, rubber, and nickel mining.
- Current Project Scale: The Indonesian government’s mega-project spans 4.3 million hectares, located in the islands of Papua and Kalimantan. Experts warn that this will be the largest deforestation project in the world today.
- Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate: The largest site, covering more than 3 million hectares in Papua, is a key focus of the deforestation efforts.
Potential Consequences of the Deforestation
- Impact on Indigenous Communities: Local communities are already experiencing harm from the project. These groups rely on the land for their survival, and the expansion could displace them.
- Biodiversity Loss: Indonesia’s tropical rainforests are home to endangered species such as orangutans, elephants, and rare plants, making the deforestation particularly concerning from a biodiversity conservation perspective.
- Environmental Degradation: The clearing of these forests could exacerbate existing environmental issues, including climate change, as deforestation contributes to carbon emissions and further environmental degradation.
