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Climate changes
Amid the growing climate crisis and the massive loss of natural forests, the world is urged to seek concrete solutions to preserve the remaining forest ecosystems. Poor forest management has become one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. In this context, approaches focusing solely on reforestation or land rehabilitation are often insufficient and time-consuming. Therefore, a strategy that improves the management of existing forests is becoming increasingly crucial. This is where Improved Forest Management (IFM) emerges as a strategic and viable solution.
Improved Forest Management (IFM) refers to an approach aimed at enhancing the quality and sustainability of natural forest management—not by planting new forests or rehabilitating deforested lands, but by applying better management practices to existing, actively-used forests. This approach encompasses various activities such as reducing logging impacts, enhancing natural regeneration, and preserving biodiversity.
IFM arises from the understanding that poorly managed natural forests significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and the loss of critical ecological values. In the context of climate change mitigation, IFM becomes a crucial strategy by directly reducing emissions from the forestry sector through improved field practices.
Forests play an essential role in carbon sequestration, storing carbon in both biomass and soil. However, if forest management is not conducted sustainably, such as through unsustainable logging and poor road planning, these carbon stocks are easily released into the atmosphere, even exacerbating climate change.
IFM offers a promising solution to this challenge. By adopting more environmentally sound and efficient logging practices, IFM can reduce emissions from forest-related activities. It is also an integral part of climate change mitigation mechanisms, including REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), which provide financial incentives to developing nations that manage their forests sustainably.
Beyond emissions reduction, IFM also enhances forest resilience to climate change impacts. Well-managed forests are more capable of withstanding extreme weather events, drought, and disease.
Better forest management involves a set of technical strategies and policy measures. Core IFM practices include:
These integrated practices not only improve forest ecological integrity but also maintain or increase forest productivity over time, creating a balance between sustainability and economic viability.
IFM offers substantial environmental and socio-economic benefits. Environmentally, it supports biodiversity conservation in tropical forests, protects soil quality and water sources, and preserves other critical ecosystem functions.
Socially, IFM opens up opportunities for community participation in monitoring, protection, and benefit-sharing. It supports the local economy through sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products such as rattan, latex, and medicinal plants.
Moreover, IFM encourages local ownership and governance, strengthens community institutions, and fosters long-term livelihood improvement for nearby forest communities.
Despite its potential, implementing IFM on the ground is not without challenges. One major barrier is limited data and monitoring systems. Accurate and timely data are crucial to inform decision-making.
Conflicts over land tenure also hinder implementation, especially in areas with unclear ownership. Additionally, the lack of policy support and incentives reduces motivation among stakeholders, particularly in high-value forest zones where profit-driven exploitation dominates.
Limited technical capacity among forest managers is another issue. Many do not have sufficient training in IFM practices. Therefore, investment in education and professional training is urgently needed.
A major breakthrough in promoting IFM is its integration with carbon markets. Under these mechanisms, forests managed under IFM that reduce or store carbon can earn carbon credits to be sold in global markets.
IFM is recognized by several leading voluntary carbon standards such as VCS (Verified Carbon Standard), Gold Standard, and Plan Vivo. Through certified projects, forest managers can receive funding from private sector buyers or financial institutions to support IFM implementation.
However, data transparency and verification remain key to ensuring the claimed climate benefits of IFM projects are realized. Proper monitoring and reporting systems are critical to maintain credibility and trust in these carbon credits.
Looking ahead, IFM will remain relevant amid increasing pressure on tropical forests and growing urgency to combat climate change. Innovation and technology will be central in improving effective forest management.
The use of drones, satellite systems, and artificial intelligence for forest analysis will become standard practice. Tools such as Jejakin allow real-time tracking of forest conditions and carbon stock verification, supporting the implementation of measurable and transparent IFM projects.
Nationally, IFM can become a key reference in policy development and long-term planning. It can be incorporated into national development plans (e.g., RPJMN in Indonesia) and contribute to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Through cross-sectoral collaboration between the private sector, governments, and communities, IFM can be scaled up to have wide-reaching and long-lasting impacts.
Jejakin’s green programs combine high-tech monitoring, biodiversity restoration, and community-led initiatives to deliver powerful, sustainable change across ecosystems.
