Amid global calls to reduce emissions, Indonesia could instead double its emissions simply by proceeding with the Merauke food estate megaproject. Clearing 2 million hectares of forest in Merauke could generate an additional 782.45 million tons of CO₂ in carbon emissions, equivalent to a carbon loss of IDR 47.73 trillion. As a result of the Merauke food estate project, Indonesia may fall around 5 to 10 years behind its Net Zero Emission target for 2050.
Although the food estate is promoted as an investment in food and energy security, in reality it drives massive deforestation and threatens environmental spatial planning in Merauke. Moreover, the protective capacity of local ecosystems has never been accounted for, and Papuan communities have never been inclusively involved in the food estate project.
It is time for Indonesia to change course and develop a restorative economy, which could reduce the country’s emissions by around 1–2%. Protecting forests and developing sustainable products not only prevent large-scale deforestation but also make Indonesia a strategic global carbon sink. If a restorative economic scenario is adopted, Indonesia can avoid the substantial emissions generated by the food estate project, while maintaining ecosystem balance and contributing to efforts to address the climate crisis.
Amid global pressures to reduce emissions, Indonesia risks doubling its carbon output by proceeding with the megaproyect food estate in Merauke. Clearing 2 million hectares of forest there could generate an estimated 782.45 million tons of CO₂, equivalent to a carbon loss of IDR 47.73 trillion. As a result, Indonesia may miss its Net Zero Emission target for 2050 by 5 to 10 years.
Although the food estate is promoted as an investment in food and energy security, it drives massive deforestation and threatens the environmental spatial planning in Merauke. Moreover, the protective value of local ecosystems has never been properly accounted for, and Papuan communities have not been meaningfully included in the planning or implementation of the project.
It is time for Indonesia to pivot toward a restorative economy, which could reduce national emissions by around 1-2%. Protecting forests and developing sustainable products not only prevents large-scale deforestation but also positions Indonesia as a strategic global carbon sink. By adopting a restorative economic approach, the country can avoid the heavy emissions associated with the food estate, maintain ecosystem balance, and contribute significantly to addressing the climate crisis.
Vanishing Forests, Soaring Emissions – The Merauke Food Estate Accelerates the Climate Crisis (1) Download
Vanishing Forests and Rising Emissions - How the Merauke Food Estate Speeds Up the Climate Crisis (1) Download