Katingan Peatland and Forest Conservation, Indonesia

Carbon Offset Standards: VCS (Verified Carbon Standard), CCB (Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standards) and REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). 

From 2021-2023, ecolibrium members have donated to support a Peatland and Forest Conservation Project in Indonesia as part of the Trees+ programme

The project in Katingan works towards the goals of restoration and preservation of the ecosystem and supporting local communities: this involves a development programme that runs across 34 villages and includes tree nurseries, an agro-ecology school and micro-finance loans for the community. The project has a focus on gender equality, promoting financial empowerment to increase social mobility for women and inclusion in the project’s decision making process. The conservation activities further support local communities by improving the supply, consistency and quality of drinking water available.

Over 90% of the carbon is in the underlying peat soils. The project has prevented the release of over 37 million tonnes CO2e

The project protects and restores over 140,000 hectares of peatland ecosystems by helping local people build sustainable sources of income through agriculture, agro-forestry, eco-tourism and aquaculture. This prevents the conversion of the area to industrial plantations of acacia, a tree which is commonly used for flooring. Conversion of the land for acacia through forest clearance, draining and burning of the underlying peat would release the large amounts of carbon and methane stored by the area, as well as destroying the rich biodiversity. Carbon finance funding help residents to make a living from non-timber forest products like rattan, honey, coconut and jelutong, fire prevention, eco-tourism, canal management and sustainable fisheries.

Over 90% of the carbon is in the underlying peat soils. The project has prevented the release of over 37 million tonnes CO2e

Sustainable Development Goals: In addition to delivering emissions reductions to take climate action (SDG 13), the project delivers several other benefits including:

  • Decent Work and Economic Growth: A community development programme runs across 34 villages and includes tree nurseries, an agro-ecology school and micro-finance loans.
  • Clean Water and Sanitation: Conservation activities improve the supply, consistency and quality of drinking water available.
  • Gender Equality: Financial empowerment increases social mobility for women and inclusion in decision making processes.

Find out more about ecolibrium Trees+ programme and project partners: The Rainforest Trust and Temwa.