Transforming Forest Landscapes for Conservation and Carbon Sequestration in Aceh

A timber plantation concession in Aceh, Indonesia, spanning over 106,197 ha, has been managed for timber production since 1992. While economically significant, the area is a biodiversity hotspot, home to critically endangered species such as the Sumatran elephant and Sumatran tiger, underscoring its ecological importance.

The management system, based on a 10-year harvesting cycle, presented several challenges:

• Biodiversity Threats: Habitat degradation and fragmentation from timber harvesting activities posed risks to endangered species.
• Carbon Emissions: Logging operations resulted in significant CO2 emissions and restricted the forest’s capacity for natural carbon sequestration.
• Degraded Land: Over 61,454 ha of the concession was degraded, limiting its ecological and economic potential.

In collaboration with stakeholders, Gaia Indonesia developed a transformative project to align forest management with conservation and climate goals. The approach integrates carbon finance mechanisms to ensure measurable climate, community, and biodiversity benefits.

• Forest Protection: Transitioned 32,815 ha of tropical forest from timber harvesting to protected status, safeguarding biodiversity and preventing emissions.
• Degraded Land Rehabilitation: Initiated large-scale rehabilitation of 61,454 ha, enhancing carbon sequestration and ecosystem restoration.
• Carbon Credit Mechanism: Designed a comprehensive program to monetize avoided emissions and sequestration through high-quality carbon credits, supporting long-term conservation funding.
• Community Engagement: Introduced livelihood programs funded by carbon revenues, fostering sustainable economic opportunities and community-driven conservation efforts.