Press Releases

“WWF calls for concerted actions to mitigate dire impact of GHGs emissions from irresponsible oil palm development”

Nusa Dua-Bali, 17 March 2016 – The second day of the fifth International Conference on Oil Palm and Environment (ICOPE) highlights slash and burn practices, peat restoration, GHG footprint and remediation in relation to the main theme of conference: “Sustainable Palm Oil and Climate Change: The Way Forward Through Mitigation and Adaptation”.

WWF Indonesia sends a cautious reminder to all stakeholders on the devastating haze occurred last year in major parts of Sumatera and Kalimantan. Despite the impact was exacerbated by a prolonged El Nino, it was perceived by many parties to be associated with irresponsible oilpalm development. Many reports revealed that the haze has also caused alarming health problems and affecting lives and livelihoods of thousands people within the impacted regions. WWF puts out a serious concern that preventive measures need to be taken continuously, of particular attention is those occurred on the peat. Recalling that when the peatlands is burned, cleared, and drained, massive amounts of stored carbon is released into the atmosphere.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Indonesia calls all concerned parties to pay more serious actions about protecting peatlands by reviewing its developmental policies in those key areas. Preventive measures need to be taken continuously to reduce the potential of land and forest fires this year and the future to come. Dr. Efransjah, CEO of WWF Indonesia, emphasizes “The oil palm industry shall be aware of incorporating early warning system to prevent the recurrence of disastrous haze last year, reassuring that engagement the locals is imperative yet rewarding”.

In response to the need of climate change mitigation, WWF also recognizes commendable actions taken by the government of Indonesia, one of which, through the establishment of Badan Restorasi Gambut (Peat Restoration Agency). The agency is expected to lead and encourage innovative intervention strategies in addressing convoluted challenges between peatlands and palm oil supply chains. Irwan Gunawan, Deputy Director Market Transformation urges “We must put an end to the repeating collective negligence and blaming game when the haze strikes, we share equal risks and responsibilities beginning from the prevention level”. He also added that remediation is not a theory of change on paper, it is possible on the ground.

WWF Indonesia, in particular, hopes that all the fifth ICOPE participants would take this biennial conference as a valuable opportunity for “crème de la crème” thought exchange amidst the sceptical future of global palm oil market. WWF Indonesia believes sustainability remains a comparative advantage for those who embrace it as capital expenditures for longer term economic resilience.

For further information, please contact:
Irwan Gunawan
Deputy Director Market Transformation
Mobile: (62) 812 874 8535
Email: [email protected]

Dewi Satriani
Campaign and Public Mobilization Manager
Mobile: (62) 811 910 970
Email: [email protected]