Peatland Power: Where Soggy Dirt Saves the World (and the Monkeys)

IMPACTfolio® was created to be a financial force of good.  To help do our part, IMPACTfolio® utilizes software from Aclymate to calculate our carbon footprint and purchase carbon offsets so we can stay carbon negative as a company.  We recently purchased carbon offsets that support the Katingan Peatland Restoration and Conservation Project.

The Katingan Project represents a globally significant effort to manage critical ecosystems. It simultaneously addresses the urgent need for climate change mitigation and the protection of endangered species, all while securing sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

What are the core goals and scale of the project?

The project is defined by its ambitious scale and its dual mandate focused on environmental and social upliftment.

• Scale and Scope: The initiative aims to protect and restore 149,800 hectares of threatened peatland ecosystems on the island of Borneo.
• Climate Action: A primary goal is tackling global climate change by preserving the immense amount of CO2 stored within the peat.
• Community Focus: The project is designed to offer local people sustainable, alternative sources of income that align with conservation goals.

Why is this peatland ecosystem so vital for the environment?

The Katingan peatland provides essential ecological services far beyond its immediate location.

• Carbon Sequestration: The ecosystem stores vast amounts of carbon dioxide, preventing its release into the atmosphere, which is crucial for global climate stability.
• Water Regulation: It plays a significant role in stabilizing regional water flows, which is essential for the surrounding area.
• Resource Provision: The ecosystem enriches soil nutrients and provides a stable source of clean water.
• Fire Mitigation: By stabilizing water levels, the project actively prevents peat fires, which release massive quantities of carbon and air pollutants.

Which high-conservation-value species benefit from this protection?

The project area is a haven for rich biodiversity, particularly for several critically endangered primate species.

• Critically Endangered Primates: It is home to large populations of the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) and the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus).
• Significant Populations: Preliminary estimates indicate:
  • Nearly 4,000 orangutans.
  • Approximately 10,000 Bornean gibbons.
  • More than 500 proboscis monkeys.
• Global Importance: These populations collectively represent over 5% of the remaining global totals for these endangered species.
• Overall Diversity: The area supports a wide range of life, including 157 bird, 67 mammal, 41 reptile, and 314 plant species, including two critically endangered, 11 endangered, and 31 vulnerable species.

How does the project ensure the land remains protected?

The project overcame a significant threat by securing legal control, preventing commercial exploitation of the forest.

• The Threat: The project area was designated as a state production forest, slated for conversion into fast-growing industrial pulpwood plantations.
• The Solution: The project secured full legal control of the area by obtaining an Ecosystem Restoration Concession license, effectively blocking the applications of plantation companies.
• Independent Verification: The project has achieved certification under the rigorous Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards, confirming its positive impact on both ecology and society.

How is the project integrated with local communities?

The project’s success is intrinsically linked to the well-being of the surrounding communities.

• Traditional Livelihoods: The project works with villages whose traditional activities include farming, fishing, and the harvesting of non-timber forest products.
• Economic Stability: By developing sustainable income sources, the project ensures that local people become stewards of the forest rather than being pressured into activities that lead to its destruction.