In March 2022, Indonesia’s Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya, announced the Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) NET SINK 2030 operational plan. Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) Sinar Mas is among the forestry industry stakeholders committed to implementing this groundbreaking initiative. This blog explores the initiative’s importance, its alignment with Indonesia’s climate goals, and how Asia Pulp & Paper aims to contribute to its success.
What Is FOLU NET Sink 2030 and Why It Matters
At the intersection of urgency and ambition, the FOLU NET Sink 2030 initiative stands as a revolutionary commitment by the Indonesian government. Its overarching goal is to dramatically accelerate carbon absorption while concurrently reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Forestry and Other Land Use sectors by the year 2030. This ambitious project serves as a cornerstone for achieving Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to climate change mitigation. The operational plan revolves around key principles such as sustainable forest management, environmental governance, and carbon governance.
The Official Launch and Guidelines for FOLU NET Sink 2030
The initiative was formally launched by Minister Siti Nurbaya in March 2022. The Minister has also released the Indonesian Operational Plan Document for FOLU NET Sink 2030 through a ministerial decree, highlighting the operational legal frameworks. The plan lays out specific guidelines and expectations for stakeholders in sectors like sustainable forest management, environmental and carbon governance.
APP’s Pledge to FOLU NET Sink 2030
Asia Pulp & Paper has openly affirmed its commitment to support FOLU NET Sink 2030. As stated by Chief Sustainability Officer, Elim Sritaba, “We have an obligation to support various efforts to achieve Indonesia’s FOLU NET SINK 2030 target.” The company’s commitment encompasses a variety of actions including reducing deforestation and forest degradation, sustainable forest management, and peat water management improvements. It also plans to engage in social forestry, forest rehabilitation, and the conservation of biodiversity and its ecosystem.
Business and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
Collaboration is at the core of the FOLU NET Sink 2030 operational plan. “APP Sinar Mas, as part of the Indonesian business world, continues to work with reference to Indonesia’s FOLU NET SINK 2030 operational plan,” says Elim. The initiative encourages joint actions from all stakeholders, including businesses, NGOs, and governmental bodies. Asia Pulp & Paper is committed to implementing sustainable business practices as part of these collaborative efforts to achieve the set targets.
The Road to Achieving Net Zero Emissions through FOLU NET Sink 2030
The success of the FOLU NET Sink 2030 initiative has broader implications for Indonesia’s climate goals. It aims to contribute up to 60% of the Net Zero Emission target by 2060. Achieving these targets would be a monumental step towards preventing the catastrophic effects of climate change, emphasising the weight of the initiative and the urgency for all involved parties to act.
Regulatory Compliance and Ministerial Oversight
During a Consolidation Workshop in April 2022, Minister Siti emphasised the need for all stakeholders to strictly adhere to the FOLU NET Sink 2030 operational plans. She stressed that there should be “no steps from any unit that is not coordinated with the FOLU NET Sink work system.” To ensure compliance, she has mandated that all involved parties — central and regional governments, NGOs, and the private sector — follow the operational plan with disciplined commitment.
Building a Sustainable Future with APP
As a committed stakeholder in this ambitious endeavour, Asia Pulp & Paper remains steadfast in its pledges and responsibilities. The company intends to maintain its commitment to sustainable business practices that align with the FOLU NET Sink 2030 objectives. Through collective and cooperative efforts, Asia Pulp & Paper aims to play an essential role in leading Indonesia towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
In this multi-faceted journey towards environmental stewardship, Asia Pulp & Paper invites everyone to contribute to achieving the sustainable objectives of Indonesia’s FOLU NET Sink 2030 initiative.