Smart Net-Zero

January 9, 2025 | Mongabay |

Indonesia’s Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has announced a plan to convert 20 million hectares of forest into food and biofuel estates, raising concerns over deforestation, biodiversity loss, and massive carbon emissions. Experts warn this could release up to 22 billion metric tons of CO₂, undermining global climate efforts.

While the government claims agroforestry will mitigate environmental damage, critics argue it cannot prevent large-scale deforestation if intact forests are cleared. Palm oil expansion is also a growing concern, as past food estate projects have shifted to oil palm cultivation, a major driver of deforestation. The plan also risks agrarian conflicts, as many targeted areas overlap with Indigenous and community lands.

Parliament has urged caution, advocating for yield improvements on existing farmland instead of forest clearing. Without strong safeguards, clear boundaries, and transparency, experts warn this plan may repeat past failures, exacerbating the climate crisis.