This report analyzes the environmental and climate implications of Indonesia’s Merauke Food Estate project, which involves clearing vast forest areas for agricultural expansion. CELIOS estimates that deforestation from the project could release up to 0.86 gigatons of CO₂ roughly equivalent to Indonesia’s total annual emissions, potentially delaying the nation’s net-zero target by up to a decade. The report warns that such projects contradict the government’s climate commitments and endanger global climate goals.
The authors propose alternative development pathways that prioritize sustainable land use, community-based agriculture, and forest preservation. They argue that Indonesia’s competitive advantage lies in being a global carbon sink rather than an emitter. The report concludes that halting large-scale deforestation is not only environmentally essential but also economically rational for long-term national resilience.
Bibliography:
Askar, M. W. (2024, December). Vanishing Forests and Rising Emissions: How the Merauke Food Estate Speeds Up the Climate Crisis. Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS).