3 weeks ago
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Indonesian forests are being heavily logged to meet the growing global demand for biomass energy, mainly for export to South Korea and Japan.
Victoria Milko reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Biomass production, largely for export, has led to extensive deforestation across Indonesia, with over 9,740 hectares of forest cleared since 2020.
- Forest-rich areas crucial for biodiversity, including habitats for endangered species, are being converted into biomass plantations for energy production.
- Experts warn that weak regulations are likely to exacerbate deforestation and carbon emissions, undermining efforts to achieve sustainable energy transitions.
Key quote:
"Biomass production — which is only recently starting to be seen on an industrial scale in Indonesia — is a dire new threat to the country’s forests."
— Timer Manurung, director of Auriga Nusantara
Why this matters:
Burning biomass is seen as renewable, yet it can emit more carbon than coal and devastates carbon-rich forests, crucial for climate stability and biodiversity. This trend may hinder global climate goals and harm local ecosystems and communities that rely on intact forests.
Read more: Biomass company threatens Borneo’s rainforest and Indigenous livelihoods
