Reducing emissions from land use in Indonesia: motivation, policy instruments and expected funding streams

Abstract

Land-based emissions of carbon dioxide derive from the interface of forest and agriculture. Emission estimates require harmonization across forest and non-forest data sources. Furthermore, emission reduction requires understanding of the linked causes and policy levers between agriculture and forestry. The institutional forestry traditions dominated the emergence of the discourse on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) while more holistic perspectives on land-based emissions, including agriculture, found a home in international recognition for Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs). We tested the hypothesis that, at least for Indonesia, the NAMA framework provides opportunities to resolve issues that REDD+ alone cannot address. We reviewed progress on five major challenges identified in 2007 by the Indonesian Forest Climate Alliance: 1) scope and 'forest' definition; 2) ownership and tenurial rights; 3) multiplicity and interconnectedness of drivers; 4) peatland issues across forest and non-forest land categories; and 5) fairness and efficiency of benefitdistribution mechanisms across conservation, degradation and restoration phases of tree-cover transition. Results indicate that the two policy instruments developed in parallel with competition rather than synergy. Three of the REDD+ challenges can be resolved by treating REDD+ as a subset of the NAMA and national emission reduction plans for Indonesia. We conclude that two issues, rights and benefit distribution, remain a major challenge, and require progress on a motivational pyramid of policy and polycentric governance. National interest in retaining global palm oil exports gained priority over expectations of REDD forest rents. Genuine concerns over climate change motivate a small but influential part of the ongoing debate.

Mud, muddle and models in the knowledge value-chain to action on tropical peatland conservation

“…Very few Indonesian scientists had been involved in the research that generated the high emission estimates and this provided a fertile ground for conspiracy theories, especially when the publicity on emissions started to threaten exports of palm oil from the country. Van Noordwijk et al (2014) described the shifts in motivation in emission-reduction discourse, from expectations of REDD + rents through branding and safeguarding of exports to the selfarticulation of co-responsibility for global climate dynamics. Specifically for Indonesia, the early interest in implementation of REDD + included peat areas that might have been beyond the technical scope of REDD + within the prevailing definition of 'forest', effectively paving the way for an approach targeting the reduction of emissions from all land uses (Bernard et al 2013).…”

“…The willingness and ability to act on peatland issues is part of the wider dynamic of the relevance of a shift to a cleaner, low-emissions, development pathway across all sectors of the economy, and the multiple elements of motivation to do so (Jupesta et al 2011;Murdiyarso et al 2013;van Noordwijk et al 2014). The ability to act on the basis of evidence requires a competent local government that is on top of the way emission reductions are calculated and valued.…”

“…Ritzema et al (2014) reviewed the experience so far and found that the resulting higher water tables did not completely compensate for the negative effects of increased subsidence near the canals, which have become depressions in the peatland surface leading to interception of overland-and interflow and increased risk of overtopping of dams during extreme rainfall events. Yamamoto et al (2013) commented on the absence of incentives for households in the central Kalimantan peatland restoration areas to engage in fire control. Graham (2013) explored how a combination of ecological-technical and socialpolitical perspectives is needed in restoration ecology for degraded peat forests in Central Kalimantan.…”

What is good about Sri Lankan homegardens with regards to food security? A synthesis of the current scientific knowledge of a multifunctional land-use system

“…Multifunctional land-use systems are often presented as a remedy to intensify production, improve livelihoods and sustain more resilient ecosystems. Hence, policy makers and scientists now promote these land-use systems as an attractive alternative to intensive farming and commercial forestry practices (e.g., Kumar et al 2012;Bustamante et al 2014;van Noordwijk et al 2014;Santika et al 2015).…”

The EU’s REDD+ Policy Developments and the Lessons from the Policy Implementation in West Papua and Papua, Indonesia

“…When it is difficult to secure land tenure, it is critical for indigenous people to secure their right to engage in forest management and verify the forest boundary. These procedures may be complex, and they require consent from the local and national governments (van Noordwijk et al, 2013). However, if this occurs, implementing these measures could be a way in which to overcome difficulties in defining land ownership rights.…”