Tropical forest conservation in the Rimba Raya Reserve

Context

From 1990 to 2005, Indonesia lost over 2% of its forest cover every year. Today, deforestation and peatland drainage place the country among the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases.

The Rimba Raya tropical peat swamp forest, located in Central Borneo, is one of the last remaining habitats for the Bornean orangutan and more than 50 other threatened species. Without the project, the area would have been converted into palm oil plantations, with forests cleared and burned to prepare the land and peatlands drained. This process would have released vast amounts of carbon stored both above and below ground, fueling climate change while destroying critical habitats. In addition, 14 local communities along the eastern boundary would have faced the risk of losing their land to agricultural companies.

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Stakeholders and local partners

Who are the key stakeholders?

The project is led by InfiniteEARTH, which funds the reserve’s protection through the sale of certified carbon credits. Partners include local communities, provincial authorities, and environmental organizations that support forest conservation. Community involvement is at the heart of the initiative: local populations actively take part in planning and developing activities while benefiting from sustainable development programs such as the distribution of clean cookstoves, solar lighting, water filtration systems, environmental management training, and improved access to healthcare and education. In addition, the creation of jobs in land monitoring, fire management, and anti-poaching efforts provides tangible, long-term economic benefits, strengthening the connection between conservation and social well-being.

Project Developer:

Objectives and approach

The project aims to prevent the conversion of peatlands into palm oil plantations, protect biodiversity, and reduce millions of tons of emissions, all while promoting sustainable development.

The project’s main objectives are to reduce emissions by protecting 91,215 hectares of peat swamp forest, create a buffer zone for Tanjung Puting National Park, and safeguard the habitat of orangutans and other threatened species. It also aims to provide sustainable economic alternatives for local communities, strengthen food security, and improve access to clean water and renewable energy. Additional goals include enhancing healthcare and education, generating employment through forest management and anti-illegal logging initiatives, and developing a replicable model for peatland conservation across Indonesia.

The project approach combines conservation with community development. InfiniteEARTH funds the protection of the area through the sale of VCS carbon credits, providing resources for monitoring activities, fire prevention plans, and anti-poaching efforts. At the same time, community programs improve quality of life through new technologies and access to healthcare and education. Local communities are directly involved in reforestation, resource management, and habitat protection, creating a virtuous cycle of environmental, economic, and social benefits. This innovative model demonstrates how conservation can compete with palm oil plantations, offering a more sustainable future.

Sustainable Development Goals

Supporting this project you’re contributing to the following SDGs:

9 Industry Innovation And Infrastructure

12 Responsible Consumption And Production

16 Peace Justice And Strong Institutions

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