Preserving Indonesian Rainforests by Asia Pulp & Paper

Hendra Gunawan Jakarta Globe 1 Aug 11;

Ask 10 people on the street if they think it’s a good idea to preserve Indonesia’s rainforests and more than likely all would say yes. Ask those same 10 people if they are anti-poverty and against children going hungry and lacking education. More than likely those same 10 would say yes. You would probably get a similar unanimous vote on the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reverse climate change.

The challenge becomes finding the solution that brings all these critical issues into balance. Few experts would argue that in Indonesia there is a direct correlation between poverty, forest protection and greenhouse gas emissions. But it’s just as hard to find 10 experts who would agree on a single-source solution to these immense challenges.

In a nation of 240 million people with 30 percent of families living below the poverty line and more than 60 percent of Indonesians living in rural areas, the majority of the population relies on forests and agriculture for their economic livelihood. For generations families living within rainforest communities have turned to illegal logging to earn a living and to feed and house their families. Others have used dangerous and harmful slash and burn land clearing methods.

When the unsightly and hazardous forest fire haze blows over Singapore and Malaysia posing health risks to their citizens, it is almost always attributed to uncontrolled fires used to clear land. Illegal burning poses the greatest climate change risk in Indonesia. It’s estimated that one million hectares of burning forests will produce around 220 to 290 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, or roughly 50 percent of Britain’s annual carbon dioxide emissions. Some of the most commonly used calculations showing alarmingly high levels of greenhouse gas emissions in Indonesia were based on measurements taken during active burning seasons in high-risk fire areas.

But what some see as deforestation and the release of greenhouse gasses is seen as simply getting by to others who see housing, food and clean water as luxuries. When we fail to provide jobs and economic development, history has shown that people will turn to whatever means are necessary to fulfill their basic needs. That’s where true rainforest destruction comes into play.

That’s why a sustainable forestry industry and related manufacturing is essential to the future of Indonesia. Forestry and related industries are directly responsible for 600,000 jobs and approximately $18 billion of Indonesia’s GDP, 3.3 percent. That’s more than triple the 1.1 percent average across Asian countries.

The private forestry industry is also responsible for millions of dollars spent on conservation and community development every year. Private dollars help the government support the development, outfitting and management of schools across Indonesia’s rainforests, as well as providing the transportation needed to get kids to and from the classroom every day. The private sector is responsible for helping build hospitals and providing health care and community health education programs. Private funds go into water treatment programs, community farming initiatives, micro-finance activities and much more.

It’s absolutely true that the companies involved in funding these programs are profiting from their forestry-related businesses. At the same time, they are part of an essential balance that is needed to ensure the responsible development of Indonesia’s economy while preserving the treasure of the rainforests.

Sustainable forestry management, particularly within the pulp and paper industry, can make a positive difference. But there are three key elements that have to stay in balance for that to happen:

First, strong government leadership is essential. We need thoughtful, clearly defined guidelines with appropriate checks and balances and punitive measures in place to ensure compliance by companies that work in the forestry industry. Indonesia delivers that with a lengthy, detailed and fully transparent process in place for pulpwood plantation development. The national land use spatial plan gives due consideration to conservation, bio-diversity, eco-systems and cultural and social balance.

Second, a vibrant private forestry industry with a unified commitment to sustainability beyond compliance is necessary. That means zero tolerance for illegal wood with the implementation of independent certification of chain of custody and legal origin verification. Indonesia has some of the most advanced, technologically sophisticated paper companies in the world using science and improved efficiencies to help maximize returns while minimizing net environmental impact. But it has to start with zero tolerance for illegal wood in compliance with government regulations.

Third, public-private stakeholder and NGO partnerships driving innovation in active conservation programs are needed. To make a real difference these programs must include meaningful long-term community investment and economic development to help protect high-value conservation forests not only today but long into the future. We can’t simply walk away from high value conservation forests. Over time the land will fall victim to illegal encroachment activities. Effective conservation must integrate groups across public and private sectors, including government entities, local stakeholders, NGOs and private companies to address the real issues that Indonesians living in these communities face every day.

Achieving this essential balance is not something the government can tackle solely through regulation. No one company and no one industry can single-handedly address the complex issues impacting deforestation in Indonesia.

To date we haven’t seen creative solutions accompanying the severe criticisms global NGOs throw at Indonesia.

The solution requires dedication and commitment to active public-private partnerships and innovative thinking in sustainable management and conservation programs. And it requires investment from a strong and healthy forestry sector, which includes the pulp and paper industry.

Hendra Gunawan is the Managing Director, Corporate Affairs & Communication, Asia Pulp & Paper.