"An important component in this emission reduction strategy is sustainable peatland ecosystem management in which monitoring groundwater levels plays an important role," the secretary of the ministry's Directorate General of Pollution and Environmental Damage Control, C.H. Netty Widayati, said.
She made the remarks during a discussion at the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan on Tuesday.
According to Widayati, Indonesia has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 29 percent or equivalent to 834 million tons of CO2 equivalent through its efforts by 2030.
The target is outlined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) document.
With support from the international community, Indonesia believes can reduce emissions by 1,186 million tons of CO2 equivalent or 41 percent, she added.
Maintaining optimal groundwater levels can prevent the oxidation of the peat ecosystem, which releases carbon into the air, she explained. This process creates conditions that increase the risk of fires.
Monitoring the groundwater level in the peat ecosystem is one strategy to ensure that the ecosystem remains wet, thereby preventing land fires that can release large amounts of emissions.
"Peat is a very important ecosystem and there is a responsibility to invest in an innovative and solid solution approach to assessing greenhouse gas emissions and management for climate resilience," she said.
According to data from the Environment and Forestry Ministry, in 2017, Indonesia had 24.667 million hectares of peat ecosystem area—making it the fourth-largest peat ecosystem in the world after Canada, Russia, and the US.
Given the vastness of the ecosystem, Indonesia's tropical peatlands are storing 46 gigatons of carbon.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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