The Government of Indonesia will stop clearing forests and other wild lands for a project that was, until October 6, 2026, the largest deforestation project in the world. This is a huge win for nature and climate.
President Prabowo’s Special Envoy for Environment and Climate Change, Pak Hashim Djojohadikusumo, and his Special Envoy for International Trade and Multilateral Cooperation, Ibu Mari Pangestu, announced the move at the Indonesia Sustainability Forum in Jakarta on October 6th. This policy shift will advance President Prabowo’s pledge to restore 12 million hectares of land throughout Indonesia, which is home to 10-15% of global biodiversity.
This announcement means that Indonesia will divert agricultural development away from habitats for endangered species such as tree kangaroos and birds of paradise, instead shifting it onto lands that have been previously cleared for agriculture and other uses. The government’s renewed focus on restoration and conservation is welcome, necessary, and cause for celebration.
Green Century has worked to support forest protection efforts throughout Indonesia since the early 2010s, and this past year continued that work by convening global responsible investors at meetings in New York and Jakarta to discuss nature and climate-related risks and opportunities with Indonesian government officials.
During our two trips to Jakarta this year, to which I recruited 12 institutional investors representing $10 trillion, we shared our perspective on the financial risks associated with deforestation and the benefits Indonesia stands poised to reap through conservation and restoring degraded lands.
The Indonesian government has shown tremendous leadership with this recent announcement, notching a huge win for nature, climate, and global investment in Indonesia. We congratulate them on this move and stand ready to support their work to restore and protect nature for generations to come.
— Annie Sanders, Director of Shareholder Advocacy