Indigenous Management in Riau, Indonesia Emerges as Model for Climate Action

Indigenous Management in Riau, Indonesia Emerges as Model for Climate Action
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Riau Province in Indonesia has become a focal point in the country’s climate action efforts through a renewed emphasis on indigenous management and local knowledge systems, according to Reuters. The shift is part of Indonesia’s broader national strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060, which relies heavily on forests to absorb an estimated 140 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Previously known for severe deforestation and widespread peatland fires, Riau is now spearheading initiatives to restore degraded peatlands, protect biodiversity, and reestablish sustainable land-use practices. Local communities, drawing on ancestral traditions, are playing a central role in reforesting landscapes and preventing ecological degradation.

Environmental experts highlight that Riau’s transition offers a valuable model for other regions grappling with the climate crisis. By integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation policies, the province demonstrates how local leadership can drive national and global sustainability goals.

Analysts say that if successfully scaled, the approach could not only strengthen Indonesia’s path toward net-zero but also provide lessons in balancing economic development with ecological preservation.