[Jakarta, August 30, 2020] Yayasan Madani Berkelanjutan welcomes the approval of the Indonesian government’s funding proposal to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for results-based payments under the REDD+ scheme. This GCF funding presents an important opportunity to advance the recognition and strengthening of Indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ rights in achieving Indonesia’s climate commitments.

The GCF funds should be genuinely prioritized to reduce deforestation and forest degradation at the ground level through the strengthening of Social Forestry and Forest Management Units (KPH). When implemented properly and with active stakeholder participation, these two initiatives can reinforce the tenure rights of Indigenous and local communities while contributing significantly to reducing deforestation and forest degradation.

This was conveyed by Muhammad Teguh Surya, Executive Director of Yayasan Madani Berkelanjutan, in response to the GCF Board’s approval of Indonesia’s REDD+ results-based payment proposal amounting to USD 103.8 million. The proposal presented Indonesia’s REDD+ performance results for the 2014–2016 period, reflecting emissions reductions of approximately 20.3 million tons of CO₂ equivalent.

“We welcome the government’s commitment to use the funds, in line with the President’s directive, for community-based environmental recovery. Therefore, program implementation and fund disbursement must be fully transparent, and priority programs should be widely consulted with Indigenous and local community organizations as well as civil society groups,” said Teguh.

“To ensure the funds are properly targeted, a multi-stakeholder body must be immediately established within the Environmental Fund Management Agency (BPDLH), including representatives of Indigenous peoples, local communities, and civil society organizations. There must also be clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities of the institutions managing these funds, particularly in empowering BPDLH, which is set to operate this year,” he added.

According to Anggalia Putri Permatasari, Knowledge Management Manager at Yayasan Madani Berkelanjutan, priority programs financed by the GCF should focus on community-based environmental recovery, including accelerating and strengthening social forestry and the recognition of Indigenous territories. Social forestry and KPH strengthening programs must also be integrated with climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives, peatland restoration, rehabilitation of degraded land, and efforts to reduce deforestation and degradation—key mitigation actions under Indonesia’s NDC in the forestry sector.

The government must therefore strengthen the role of KPHs at the local level, equipping them with the mandate and resources to resolve tenure conflicts, prevent and address violations of Indigenous and local community rights, and enforce regulations related to forest licensing.

There is also deep concern that progress in recognizing Indigenous forests and customary territories lags far behind other social forestry schemes. “To accelerate the realization of social forestry targets and Indigenous territory recognition, the government must immediately harmonize the Indicative Map of Social Forestry Areas (PIAPS) with the Indigenous Peoples’ Territory Map and other land-use permits related to development,” Anggalia added.

Furthermore, the government must take a more proactive stance in advancing the Indigenous Peoples Bill (RUU Masyarakat Adat), which would provide formal recognition of Indigenous peoples and their rights, including rights over forest resources. Beyond being a constitutional obligation, strengthening land rights and tenure security for Indigenous and local communities is a critical enabling condition for Indonesia to successfully reduce deforestation and forest degradation and meet its climate commitments.

Media Contacts:

• Muhammad Teguh Surya, Executive Director, Yayasan Madani Berkelanjutan – +62 812 9480 1453

• Anggalia Putri Permatasari, Knowledge Management Manager, Yayasan Madani Berkelanjutan – +62 856 21018 997

• Luluk Uliyah, Senior Media Communication Officer, Yayasan Madani Berkelanjutan – +62 815 1986 8887