The issue of climate change is now the biggest challenge faced by almost every country. Climate change caused by human activities has a damaging impact on nature and humans, such as natural disasters, social crises, economic crises and others. Ecosystem degradation occurs due to human activities such as unsustainable use of land and natural resources, deforestation, and others.
In addressing climate change, reducing carbon emissions is one of the solutions offered. This is also one of the decisions of COP 29 which was recently held. In the negotiations, countries agreed that to address climate change, nature-based carbon reduction efforts are needed (nature-based solutions) and to encourage the protection of the rights of affected communities.
Carbon plays a critical role in addressing climate change because carbon, particularly in the form of carbon dioxide (CO₂), is one of the major greenhouse gases that contributes to global warming. Reducing the levels of CO₂ in the atmosphere is a key step in mitigating climate change.
Quoted from the Ministry of Forestry and Environment (KLHK) page (2023), it is stated that Indonesia's forest area in 2022 reached 127,795,306 hectares with a boundary length of 284,033.3 km. This projects that the forestry and land use sectors will contribute almost 60% of the greenhouse gas emission reduction target that Indonesia wants to achieve.
Carbon in an Environmental Context
Carbon is an element found in various forms, both in organic compounds (such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) and inorganic compounds (such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere). Quoted from the lingungihutan.com page, one of the most well-known forms of carbon in the context of climate change is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is produced from the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other industrial activities. CO2 functions as a greenhouse gas that absorbs heat in the Earth's atmosphere, causing global warming and climate change.
However, carbon also contributes to the earth's ecosystem. The process of photosynthesis in plants converts carbon dioxide (CO2) into oxygen and organic materials that are useful for other living things. Plants, trees, and oceans serve as very important carbon sinks, because they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in the form of biomass. Tropical forests, for example, are large carbon sinks and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of carbon in the atmosphere. Therefore, forests are one of the important keys in reducing carbon emissions that cause climate change.
Forests and Indigenous Peoples
According to the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN), indigenous peoples are groups of people who have long lived and depended on natural ecosystems to meet their needs. They have a very close relationship with nature, and it is an integral part of their identity, culture, and life. Indigenous peoples usually live in areas rich in biodiversity, such as tropical forests and the interior, where they play an important role in the sustainable management of natural resources.
As guardians of forests and other natural ecosystems, indigenous peoples have long developed environmental management practices based on local wisdom and traditional knowledge. These practices often focus on conservation, such as crop rotation, hunting restrictions, and the preservation of habitats important to species survival. In this way, they help maintain the balance of nature, which plays a vital role in regulating the carbon cycle.
Therefore, indigenous peoples have a very important role in managing and maintaining carbon storage in their forests and soils. Indigenous forests, which are often traditionally managed, serve as large carbon sinks. When forests are cut down or damaged, the carbon stored in the trees and soil is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, which exacerbates global warming. Preserving indigenous forests can help reduce carbon emissions that are harmful to the earth's climate.
However, in current practice, government policies through the National Strategic Project actually encourage deforestation practices, such as the construction of the Lambo Reservoir in Nagekeo Regency and the construction of the Food Estate in Merauke, Papua. This development actually causes land destruction that converts forests. Forests that are usually a source of commodities for their daily lives and become a place to support the implementation of rituals are lost due to development. When forests are lost, the carbon storage in them is also lost, thereby increasing CO2 emissions.
As mentioned above, forests and indigenous peoples have a very strong bond. They see forests not as a commodity that only provides profit, but as a home and an integral part of the structure of indigenous peoples' lives. Indigenous peoples who have lived for years also build indigenous knowledge inherited from their ancestors regarding the management of natural resources. This is a community-based conservation practice and is more effective.
Indigenous Peoples in Climate Change Mitigation
Indigenous peoples have invaluable local knowledge on how to manage forests sustainably. Therefore, the agreement at COP 29 to protect the rights of vulnerable communities affected by climate change such as indigenous peoples must be a priority, because their local practices in protecting and managing forests have been proven to reduce carbon emissions and support climate change mitigation.
Here are some examples of good practices from indigenous communities supported by the Estungkara Program, in the To Kulawi indigenous community, the term Pampa is known, namely a traditional zoning of indigenous communities, the authority to manage and utilize land owned by women. Pampa is a 'second kitchen' for women, where they plant various kinds of plants, such as; cassava, sweet potatoes, vegetables, and plants that produce kitchen spices such as onions, chilies, tomatoes. Also fruit plants, chocolate, wood, pandan and plants for craft materials.
There is also the Kaluppini indigenous community in Enrekang Regency, they manage land using the agrosilvopasture system which is an integration of agricultural practices (agro), forestry (silvo), and livestock (pasture). This system uses materials that are already available from the community and can reduce deforestation because it does not need to open new land and increase the forest's capacity to absorb carbon.
Therefore with the entry of Entry Indigenous Peoples Draft Law (RUU). into the 2025 Priority National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) can provide recognition of land rights and the fight against environmentally damaging development excesses for indigenous peoples. By respecting and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples in managing their land and natural resources, this can be an important step in efforts to reduce the impact of climate change.
With good environmental and forest management, nature also provides a good living space for humans. The Indigenous Peoples Bill is expected to be a legal umbrella in protecting indigenous knowledge and practices that can make an important contribution to maintaining carbon balance on earth. Indigenous peoples are forest guardians and natural resource managers who can help reduce carbon emissions and maintain the sustainability of the ecosystem. Therefore, protecting the rights of indigenous peoples is a very important step in protecting the earth and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
