By: Dr. Ir. Agus Justianto, M.Sc (Chairman of the International Tropical Peatland Center (ITPC), Vice Chairman of Indonesia FOLU Net Sink 2030)
We may now breathe a sigh of relief when in the forests of Indonesia. There were no huge fires that suffocated our region with clouds of smoke around the end of our dry season, which occurred at a time when the effects of climate change are becoming more common and severe.
Forest fires have been blazing with increasing severity over the world, including the Amazon and even New York City, as a result of devastating droughts that have plagued forests all over the world.
Not only was Indonesia the first country in the tropical forest region to develop a monitoring system, but Ghana is the only other country that tracks its timber on a similar scale. Furthermore, it ensures that our timber goods, such as furniture and paper, are sustainably sourced and meet all of our regulatory requirements. This is one of the first measures that countries that export timber to markets in the United Kingdom and Europe are expected to take.
Deforestation is becoming more of a global concern. Nonetheless, despite the fact that climate impacts such as El Nino systems and the ongoing threat of catastrophic fires persist, deforestation rates in Indonesia, which is home to the world’s third largest tropical rainforest, remain lower than they were eight to ten years ago.
If Indonesia remains an isolated nation, the significance of its success will diminish. Woodlands in almost every forest-covered country remain vulnerable to both climate-change-driven fires and deforestation pressures from economic interests seeking to exploit the natural resources that forest lands contain.
Scientists have found that during the previous three decades, the world’s forests have absorbed around half of all emissions caused by the combustion of fossil fuels. People all across the world are becoming more conscious of the importance of forests in combating climate change on a global scale.
First and foremost, our experience begins with something that, despite its apparent simplicity, is a problem that affects an inordinate number of countries: the need to prevent criminal organizations from destroying trees. Illicit logging and other forest crimes are expected to generate $100 billion in revenue each year. This amount is approximately equal to what governments provide in development assistance each year.
It was believed that more than 80% of Indonesia’s timber exports in 2011 were illegal, which means they were manufactured in contravention of Indonesian legislation. That was a watershed moment, one that inspired us to go on a road towards more environmentally responsible forest management.
Before anything else, we implemented a temporary embargo on new logging concessions in 2011. This prohibition was extended to be permanent in 2019. Then we implemented a totally new system called SVLK, which can track every timber product destined for export all the way back to the forest where it was originally collected.
Today, eighty percent of the production from primary productive forests is certified for sustainability, and all timber exported originates from facilities and forests that have undergone independent audits. This includes lumber destined for markets outside than the United Kingdom and the European Union, which do not require such a system.
Not only was Indonesia the first country in the tropical forest region to develop a monitoring system, but Ghana is the only other country that tracks its timber on a similar scale. Because it is one of the first steps that nations exporting timber to markets in the United Kingdom and the European Union must take, it ensures that our timber goods, such as furniture and paper, are sourced sustainably and meet all of our legal standards.
Strong forest governance has increased the value of national timber exports, and black market operations no longer result in revenue losses. Since the tracking system went live in 2016 and shipments to the United Kingdom and the European Union began, Indonesia’s timber exports to the European Union have climbed by almost 19%, reaching a total value of approximately USD 1.4 billion.
Without efforts that engage with Indigenous Peoples and respect their rights to manage their forests, it would be hard to secure market access in the United Kingdom and the European Union.
The records provided by our tracking system show that the production of each shipment of timber intended for export is done in a way that respects their rights. Businesses and trade with communities reliant on forests have grown as a result of our assistance and collaboration with small and medium-sized businesses. These small and medium-sized businesses have created markets for the communities’ bamboo, lumber, wild foods, essential oils, and spices.
This rejection of illicit operations, combined with acceptance of sustainable techniques and respect for indigenous rights, is something that can be found in every forest on the planet.
The United Kingdom government has played a critical role in implementing these protections, having provided long-term support to forestry stakeholders in Indonesia through the Forest Governance, Markets, and Climate program during the last two decades. This cooperation resulted in the establishment of a new national system that allows local communities to monitor for forest crime and improve management methods.
We see parallel measures emerging in Liberia and Cameroon in particular as deserving of further support; they have made tremendous progress in eliminating illegal companies and protecting community rights. We feel these activities should be supported. The numerous procedures that must be followed in order to meet the criteria of the markets in the United Kingdom and the European Union are critical; yet, they also necessitate regular funding and resources, which can be difficult to come by, especially during times of economic crisis.
Collaboration is essential for properly managing the forestry business. These collaborations should involve every community and entity in the supply chain, as well as every market and the need for environmentally responsible and transparent procedures.
We are grateful for the recently concluded ten-year collaboration with the United Kingdom, and we remain optimistic that the UK will be able to forge new deals with other countries. If you are successful in building these partnerships, the rewards will go beyond increasing revenues; society will enjoy more stability, increased trade, and positive environmental impacts. ***