Indonesia is experiencing some of the highest annual forest losses globally, with deforestation rates of about 680,000 ha per year.  Land clearing and fires, especially on peatlands, has led to high rates of loss of biodiversity and globally significant levels of carbon emissions, currently, the third highest in the world, an official at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.

On this year's International Day of Forests (21 March), the world once again draws attention to this alarming situation of deforestation and forest degradation.  In Indonesia, forests cover half of the country's land surface, making it one of the most important tropical forest countries in the world, and contributing significantly to the world's supply of oxygen. Indonesia's forests also play a critical role in the country being more resilient to climate change. "It is impossible to win the battle against climate change without doubling our efforts to reduce deforestation in Indonesia," FAO Representative in Indonesia, Mark Smulders, stated.

The government's pledge in 2009, to cut its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 26% unilaterally and by 41% with international support by 2020, was reaffirmed this week in a meeting between the Ministry of Environment and Forestry officials and representatives of the international development community.

Comprehensive and Sustainable Approaches Needed
Deforestation and forest degradation in Indonesia is rooted in various intertwined challenges, including forest encroachment and occupation, forest fires, shifting cultivation, illegal logging, illegal trading of forest products, and poverty.

A comprehensive and sustainable approach is needed whereby the maintenance of forests and tree cover help combat land degradation and erosion, maintain Indonesia's rich biodiversity, protect coastal areas, reduce the pace of climate change, and provide the basic needs for the livelihoods of millions of people.  Recently, FAO has agreed to provide the Ministry of Environment and Forestry with technical expertise and funding to strengthen several Forest Management Units. The project will help strengthen the capacity of human resources, local communities, and institutions to support sustainable forest management.

Climate Smart Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Indonesia faces tremendous challenges in ensuring the food security of a rapidly growing population, while having to manage the wealth of its natural resources for future generations.  This requires the maintenance of a delicate balance across all productive sectors.  For this, FAO has helped develop an approach called "Climate Smart Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries".  This approach combines increased productivity with climate change adaptation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

In recent years, FAO has trained government officials and farmers in Central Kalimantan to practice Climate Smart Agriculture, among others to prevent forest fires.  In the future, FAO in collaboration with government institutions and various development partners, will provide technical support to address land degradation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable forest management in three upland landscapes of Java, where unsustainable agricultural practices are causing deforestation and land degradation.

FAO is committed to working with the Government of Indonesia, civil society, the private sector and development partners, to prevent further loss of Indonesia's tropical forests, to manage its natural resources in a sustainable manner, and to strengthen the country's resilience to climate change.