indonesia
Indonesian nickel industry expands, causing deforestation
Indonesia's rapid expansion of its nickel industry, driven by demand for electric vehicle batteries, is leading to significant deforestation and environmental damage.
Victoria Milko, Ed Davey, and Camille Fassett report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Indonesia has dramatically increased its nickel smelting capacity, now responsible for over half of the global nickel ore supply.
- Deforestation has more than doubled around new nickel smelters, leading to increased landslides, polluted rivers, and loss of wildlife habitats.
- Local communities suffer from the environmental impacts, with reduced agricultural yields, contaminated water, and loss of income from traditional hunting and fishing.
Key quote:
"The damage to the environment is devastating. Deforestation has significantly increased ... rivers are polluted, mangroves are cut to develop smelter areas, coastal areas and coral are being damaged by the smelters."
— Timer Manurung, chairman of Auriga
Why this matters:
Indonesia’s nickel production is vital for the global electric vehicle market, but it comes at a high environmental cost. Sustainable practices and cleaner energy sources are essential to mitigate these impacts and support local communities.
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Indonesia's new president faces scrutiny over potential environmental impacts
Amid concerns of intensified deforestation, Prabowo Subianto's election as Indonesia's president raises environmental alarms as he proposes expanding nickel mining for economic growth.
In short:
- Prabowo Subianto, a former military figure, was elected with plans to boost economic growth through increased mining and industrial development, despite potential environmental costs.
- Indonesia, a major nickel producer for electric vehicle batteries, faces ecological threats as mining expands into rainforest areas.
- Environmentalists express concerns over Prabowo's historical environmental and human rights record, fearing increased deforestation and ecological degradation.
Key quote:
“By processing our natural resources domestically, I’m optimistic that we would be able to witness double-digit economic growth.”
— Prabowo Subianto, President-elect of Indonesia
Why this matters:
Prabowo’s push to expand nickel mining operations taps into global demand for clean energy technologies but raises serious environmental issues. The extraction and processing of nickel are energy-intensive and can lead to severe environmental degradation, including deforestation, soil erosion, and contamination of water sources with acids and metals. The ecological fallout could affect not only local biodiversity but also the livelihoods of communities dependent on natural resources.
As nations worldwide strive to combat climate change by transitioning to renewable energy, they find themselves grappling with how to avoid repeating the mistakes of 150 years of fossil fuel production.
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Newsletter
Indonesia's election impact on global climate
Indonesia's presidential election results signal a pivotal moment for global climate policy, as the presumed victory of Prabowo Subianto brings into focus the nation's complex role in balancing coal dependency with a burgeoning electric-battery industry, amidst rising concerns over environmental sustainability and human rights.
In short:
- Indonesia, as a major coal exporter and a burgeoning force in nickel processing for batteries, faces environmental challenges with the election of Prabowo Subianto.
- Subianto's policies might continue the country's reliance on coal power while promoting a domestic battery-making industry, raising concerns over increased emissions.
- The country's role in global climate efforts is critical due to its large coal exports, vast nickel reserves, and significant rainforest areas which are threatened by palm oil production.
Key quote:
Should Mr. Prabowo be the final winner of Wednesday’s election, “it will make it difficult for civil society movements in Indonesia, including the environmental and climate movements.”
— Firdaus Cahyadi, campaigner for 350.org
Why this matters:
Balancing coal dependency with nickel processing for clean energy, alongside preserving rainforests crucial for carbon absorption poses a significant challenge. This election's impact extends far beyond Indonesia, affecting global strategies to mitigate climate change and highlighting the interconnected nature of environmental policies.
Climate change will continue to widen gaps in food security.
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Palm oil deforestation in Indonesia rises, reversing a decade-long decline
After years of decreasing deforestation rates, Indonesia's palm oil industry has seen a resurgence in forest clearing, particularly on peatlands and in Borneo and Papua.
In short:
- Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, experienced an increase in deforestation for palm oil plantations in 2023, marking a shift from a decade-long downward trend.
- A significant portion of this deforestation occurred on carbon-rich peatlands, exacerbating greenhouse gas emissions.
- The increase in deforestation is concentrated in Indonesian Borneo and Papua, moving away from the traditional palm oil heartland of Sumatra.
Key quote:
"So emissions from the palm oil [industry] is around a fifth of Indonesia’s emissions."
— Herry Purnomo, senior scientist and deputy country director at CIFOR
Why this matters:
The resurgence of deforestation in Indonesia for palm oil cultivation raises serious environmental concerns, particularly regarding carbon emissions and biodiversity loss. This trend challenges global efforts to combat climate change and highlights the need for sustainable agricultural practices and effective forest conservation policies.
Balancing palm oil and protected forests to conserve orangutans.
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Indonesian utility PLN ordered to disclose coal plants’ emissions data
There’s a long history of various government ministries simply refusing to comply with its orders for data disclosure, and it’s not clear whether PLN will buck that trend.
Indonesia food estate threatens peatlands, with dire climate costs
Indonesia is clearing thousands of acres of carbon-dense peatland for agriculture, risking the massive release of greenhouse gases.
Newsletter
Reversing progress, Indonesia pulp & paper drives up deforestation rates again
Reversing years of progress, deforestation caused by Indonesia’s pulp and paper industry is on the rise, increasing fivefold between 2017 and 2022, according to a new analysis.
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