Indonesia’s Challenge

Natural resource depletion and global climate change are the defining human development issues of this generation.  Indonesia is grappling with high rates of marine and terrestrial ecosystem degradation. A primary contributor to greenhouse gases (GHG), Indonesia’s deforestation rates are among the highest in the world.  Domestic energy demands are increasing exponentially and mostly being met by additional fossil fuel consumption. Located on the Ring of Fire, this archipelago is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and disasters.

A USAID Environment Partnership with Indonesia 

While the environmental challenges are daunting, Indonesia and the United States are poised to work collaboratively in finding effective solutions. Reflecting its commitment to the environment, Indonesia signed the Copenhagen Accord, and was one of the first signatories to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.  Demonstrating this commitment, it proposed the Coral Triangle Initiative and hosted the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali and the World Oceans Conference in Manado.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is responding by building partnerships with Indonesian communities, government, civil-society organizations and businesses to meet these environmental challenges.  Through targeted investments, USAID is providing assistance in five major areas.

Improve the Management of Marine Ecosystems  

• Collaborate with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in expanding the sustainable use of fish and marine resources
• Strengthen management marine protected areas for biodiversity conservation
• Strengthen communities’ abilities to adapt to climate change and reduce disaster risks
• Improve law enforcement capabilities to address illegal fishing

IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF FOREST ECOSYSTEMS

• Promote policies and practices for the sustainable and legal use of forest resources
• Improve land use policies, business practices, and community networks to protect orangutans and their habitats

Increase Access to Water and Sanitation 

• Provide assistance to water utilities and local governments which enables them to expand water and sanitation services to the urban poor

Increase Access to Clean Energy 

• Assist Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in the development of implementing regulations for the newly passed Electricity Law of 2009
• Coordinate with investors and businesses to increase renewable and more efficient energy use

REDUCE DISASTER RISKS

• Strengthen the resiliency of vulnerable populations to prepare for and recover from the effects of disasters and climate change

ENV Activity Sheet