Katingan Peatland Restoration and Conservation Project

How it works

Peatland forests are rare, they form as a result of a slow process that begins with the burying of a body of water or with the swamping of a dry area. An important characteristic of these forests is the predisposition to capture and conserve a high amount of CO₂, higher than traditional forests. Peatlands are often drained for agricultural use, and the peat, drying out, becomes a fuel. After draining, the remaining biomass is removed (often through fire) to balance soil acidity to make the soil suitable for agriculture.

Where does it develop?

Katingan Peatland Restoration was developed to protect an area of 150,000 hectares while preserving the natural ecosystem that annually captures 7.5 million tons of CO₂.

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The certifications

Biodiversity also finds refuge in the natural ecosystem of the Katingan Peatland Restoration, Indonesia is home to multiple endangered species such as orangutans, rhinoceroses and tigers. Protecting a wide variety of animals (more than 390 species have been detected from the studies carried out) has allowed the project to obtain the Verra CCB (Climate, Community and Biodiversity) certification.

Benefits

Local communities are actively participating in the project, in fact, without their support, the project would not have started. As a result of the funding received, a part of the members of the local communities obtained a job. Katingan Peatland is not limited to forest protection but takes part in social initiatives such as the fight against poverty.

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The project in a nutshell

• Preservation of biodiversity
• Economic and social development
• Improved air and soil conditions