Indonesia’s peatlands cover approximately 13.5 million hectares and store an estimated 57 Gt of carbon more than half of the world’s tropical peat carbon. Yet nearly 45% of these ecosystems have been degraded or burned due to land use conversion mostly for oil and forest plantations, making peatlands both a major emissions source and Indonesia’s greatest climate mitigation opportunity. Avoiding peat emissions and restoring degraded peatlands could deliver up to 960 ± 15.4 MtCO₂e yr⁻¹, representing almost three quarters of the country’s total natural climate solution potential. We combine cutting edge science with on the ground action to unlock this potential. Multi-year greenhouse gas monitoring using closed dynamic chamber and eddy covariance methods across land covers in Kalimantan is strengthening measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) for peatland carbon and GHG emissions accounting.  Our recent research demonstrates that rewetting oil palm plantations reduces peat decomposition by 34%, delivering immediate emissions benefits. On the ground, we translate science into impact by installing canal blocking systems with real-time groundwater and GHG monitoring, restoring vegetation through revegetation and agroforestry, and supporting community livelihoods through sustainable peat-friendly commodities. At the national level, we support the Ministry of Environment to improve methodologies and strengthen carbon projects from peatland ecosystem. Together, these integrated scientific, community-based, and policy-driven interventions offer a scalable, high-impact pathway to cut emissions, strengthen carbon markets, and deliver durable climate benefits from Indonesia’s peatlands.

*Refreshments: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM (Atrium)