Indonesia's Forests Threatened by International Biomass Demand

Indonesia is experiencing a troubling surge in deforestation as its forests are felled to meet the growing global demand for biomass. This trend is primarily driven by orders from South Korea and Japan for wood pellet production; they have heavily invested in Indonesia to advance biomass production there. Biomass, derived from organic materials like wood, is increasingly favored as countries transition to cleaner energy. However, critics argue that its expanding use is compromising Indonesia's rich forest ecosystems.

Environmentalists express concern that the rising demand, combined with Indonesia's lax regulatory framework, will lead to accelerated deforestation. Since 2020, over 9,740 hectares of forest designated for biomass production have been cleared. The area includes critical habitats for endangered species such as Sumatran rhinos and orangutans. "Biomass production…is a dire new threat to the country's forests," warned Timer Manurung, director of Auriga Nusantara, emphasizing the urgency of safeguarding these ecosystems from further harm.

Despite the perceived benefits of bioenergy, many experts and scientists have condemned it as more damaging than fossil fuels. Burning wood-based biomass can release more carbon than coal, reducing forests' natural ability to capture carbon dioxide. Indonesia's state utility PLN plans to dramatically increase its biomass usage, further straining resources. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)