Product walkthrough, trial, POCs, enterprise offering, support and more. Speak with one of our specialists.
Climate changes
Tropical forests play a vital role in maintaining global climate balance. Besides being home to millions of plant and animal species, forests also serve as natural carbon sinks. When trees are cut or burned, the carbon stored in their biomass is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas driving climate change. In recent decades, deforestation and forest degradation have become significant contributors to global emissions. This is the main reason why initiatives like REDD+ have become highly relevant in the global environmental agenda.
REDD stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. REDD+ is a further development of this concept that not only focuses on reducing emissions caused by deforestation and degradation, but also includes forest conservation, sustainable forest management, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries.
The concept of REDD was first introduced during global climate negotiations under the UNFCCC in the early 2000s. It was later officially recognized as part of the global climate solution through the Paris Agreement in 2015. REDD+ encourages developing countries to protect and sustainably manage their forests using a result-based payment system, where countries receive financial support upon verified emission reductions from the forestry sector based on set standards.
REDD+ operates on a simple principle: provide incentives to countries or regions that successfully protect and manage their forests. However, implementation requires a complex and transparent system. Generally, countries identify forest areas at high risk of deforestation or degradation, and then design and implement policy interventions to prevent further forest loss.
Key steps in REDD+ implementation include:
Once verified, countries may receive payments from international donors or climate financing institutions. REDD+ activities are especially relevant for local and indigenous communities who act as forest stewards and hold valuable traditional ecological knowledge.
As a country with one of the world's largest tropical forests, Indonesia plays a critical role in REDD+ implementation. The Indonesian government has developed various policies to support the program, including the establishment of a national REDD+ registry system to record and document all mitigation actions.
A key example of REDD+ implementation is Indonesia's partnership with Norway, which has drawn global attention. Through this partnership, Indonesia receives result-based payments for verified emission reductions, demonstrating REDD+'s effectiveness while also reflecting international confidence in Indonesia's forest protection commitment.
Challenges to REDD+ implementation in Indonesia include land tenure and ownership. Many forest areas overlap with claims by communities, companies, and government institutions. This legal complexity hampers enforcement and conservation efforts. Furthermore, law enforcement against illegal logging remains limited, and technical capacity varies by region.
Nevertheless, Indonesia continues to integrate REDD+ into national development and climate strategies. This is reflected in national planning documents such as the RPJMN and RAN-GRK, positioning REDD+ as more than just an environmental project, but as part of long-term national development.
REDD+ offers many benefits if implemented effectively. From an environmental perspective, REDD+ helps:
From a social standpoint, REDD+ empowers local communities to directly benefit from forest resources. Through participatory approaches, communities can gain access to livelihoods, income, land tenure security, and legal certainty over their land. In several regions, REDD+ has also helped preserve traditional knowledge and forest-based cultural identity.
Economically, REDD+ opens access to the global carbon market. Countries or regions that successfully reduce emissions can sell carbon credits internationally, making forest conservation economically viable and supporting sustainable development.
Despite its potential, REDD+ faces multiple challenges. One major issue is transparency and verification. Data accuracy and availability for public scrutiny are essential. Collected data must be accurate, verified, and open to public access.
Independent verification required for result-based payments is often time-consuming and costly. Delays in verification and financing have discouraged REDD+ stakeholders. This calls for building technical capacity and improving institutional MRV systems to ensure reliable implementation.
Another challenge is ensuring local participation. Limited information, lack of access, and unresolved conflicts often hinder community engagement. Yet, community participation is essential to achieving long-term, socially just outcomes.
As awareness and ambition to achieve net zero emissions grow, REDD+ has become a strategic tool. Tropical forests play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, and REDD+ is increasingly integrated into corporate ESG strategies and national climate plans.
Many multinational corporations now use REDD+ credits to offset their carbon emissions, making REDD+ a key element in emissions reduction portfolios. However, maintaining credibility requires strong verification systems and certification standards.
At the national level, REDD+ is also important for bridging environmental and socio-economic development. With the right incentives, REDD+ can support local communities and ensure that public and private sectors work together toward inclusive forest conservation.
REDD+ is a strategic initiative that integrates forest conservation with sustainable development goals. It holds great potential to reduce emissions, protect biodiversity, and empower communities. Its success relies on transparency, strong verification systems, legal certainty, and institutional capacity.
With its vast tropical forests, Indonesia is well-positioned to show the world that forest conservation and low-carbon development can go hand in hand. REDD+ is not just about preserving the environment—it’s about building a better, more sustainable future for all.
Jejakin’s green programs combine high-tech monitoring, biodiversity restoration, and community-led initiatives to deliver powerful, sustainable change across ecosystems.
