Indonesia’s new peatland agency faces questions over what it will do differently
The Indonesian government has established a new agency, the BPGMN, to manage peatland and mangrove restoration following the dissolution of its predecessor, the BRGM. Environmental advocates are questioning the effectiveness of this new body, noting that structural changes alone may not address the root causes of forest fires.
Why it matters
Peatland restoration is vital for climate change mitigation, as these biomes act as massive carbon sinks; their degradation contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions.
JAKARTA — In 2016, following the most devastating land and forest fires in its recorded history the previous year, the Indonesian government set up an agency to restore peatlands, among the worst-hit biomes during the disaster.
A decade later, following the most devastating land and forest fires since the 2015 season, the current government has once again set up an agency to restore peatlands — prompting questions over what impact, if any, this new body will have.
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