The Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) have recently finalized the national medium-term development planning (RPJMN) 2020 – 2024 background study for the forestry sector. The background study was commissioned by Bappenas with the support of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) as part of its efforts to mainstream green growth and low carbon development within the forestry sector in Indonesia.

The comprehensive scientific study which uses a strong sustainability paradigm and ecological economics approach aims to become a basis for renewed forestry sector management and policies to become sustainable by reforming forest area development, as well as governance and regulations

The RPJMN 2020-2024 Background Study for the forestry sector is not only oriented towards economic growth but also the sustainability of ecosystem services by highlighting the main strategies, directions, objectives and framework of Indonesia’s forest development until 2045 as well as forest area optimization and management. Referring to the RPJMN 2020-2024, the various policies developed are expected to consider the Long-Term Development Planning (RPJP), the National Forestry Plan (RKTN) and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) of Indonesia committed under the Paris Agreement. This background study also finds that to achieve Indonesia’s climate commitments, by 2045 the total forest cover area should reach at least 85,6 million ha with an investment of Rp565,92 trillion.

According to Law No. 17 year 2007 on the National Long Term Development Plan Year 2005 – 2025, the every RPJMN planned accordingly is expected to become a reference at the community level for public participation and monitoring of national development to drive prosperity and welfare of the nation. Management models which account for resources, social capital and governmental capacity is needed for a sustainable forest development. Hence, if the socialization is done appropriately, the people can also be involved in such matters like by actively participating with the Forest Management Units (FMUs) or by overseeing the effectiveness and efficiency of FMUs as mentioned in the policy strategies in this background study.

Aside from achieving the NDC targets, the people will also be affected positively through a more sustainable forestry sector, such as a more effective haze prevention, improved ecosystem services in the form of clean water and air as well as climate change resilience, and many others that will be easily accessible by all Indonesians.