Prospects and challenges of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in Central Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

Indonesia is rapidly progressing in terms of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD plus) preparedness. We carried out a detailed feasibility study to develop and implement a new mechanism of the REDD plus for Central Kalimantan, a REDD pilot province of Indonesia. Several REDD plus activities were implemented in Paduran Mulia Village of Central Kalimantan. Remote sensing data was used to detect land use changes in the study area and was complemented by ground inventory to assess the actual carbon stock of the forest. The study found that land cover and uses have significantly been changed since last 30 years. Considering 2008 as a base year, we estimated that the total emission reduction would be 9,344 Gg CO₂ in the next 20 years (about 450 Gg CO₂/year). The results indicated the optimistic scenario with significant emission reduction if the proposed REDD plus activities were implemented successfully.