Climate Crisis Demands Comprehensive Approach to Biodiversity Conservation

Efforts to conserve biodiversity amid the climate crisis and environmental degradation can no longer focus solely on species protection. A comprehensive approach is needed through strengthened governance, sustainable development, law enforcement, and the role of indigenous communities. Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Murti Yudhoyono assessed that conservation and infrastructure development must not be positioned as conflicting goals. He stated that infrastructure development must maintain ecological connectivity through various approaches, such as building wildlife corridors, to ensure infrastructure does not become a barrier to animal movement. He stressed the importance of ecological connectivity, nature-based solutions, and community involvement in every development process. “Nature is also part of infrastructure itself because it provides various environmental services that sustain human life,” he explained in a recorded speech at the International Symposium on Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation (ISWBC) 2026 on Thursday. The symposium carried the theme ‘Beyond Species: Rethinking Conservation in an Era of Uncertainty.’

Deputy Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki emphasised the importance of forest governance based on three main priorities: strengthening the rights of indigenous peoples and social forestry, developing high-integrity carbon markets, and integrated landscape governance. He noted that as of May 2026, access to social forestry had reached 8.34 million hectares and continues to be expanded as part of a strategy for social justice and sustainability. He expressed hope that Indonesia’s forests would be viewed as the foundation of environmental resilience, biodiversity protection, and the fulfilment of indigenous peoples’ rights, rather than merely an economic asset. “Forests are not just land cover or economic assets. Forests are the foundation of biodiversity, indigenous peoples’ rights, community livelihoods, and sustainable national development,” he asserted.

Director General of Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Forestry, Yazid Nurhuda, identified several major threats to forest sustainability in Indonesia, including wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, forest encroachment, and illegal carbon trading. He stressed the need for a law enforcement approach that focuses not only on punishing perpetrators but also on restoring environmental damage and recovering state losses. To strengthen environmental law enforcement, he said the government has optimised various technologies such as artificial intelligence, integrated intelligence, and digital forensics. Simultaneously, the government is encouraging public participation in environmental monitoring by providing secure reporting mechanisms and legal protection for environmental defenders through an Anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (Anti-SLAPP) policy. “We are strengthening technology-based monitoring systems and ensuring secure reporting mechanisms and protection for environmental defenders,” he stated.

Director of Species and Genetic Conservation at the Ministry of Forestry, Ahmad Munawir, stressed the importance of transforming towards a ‘nature positive’ approach, where development and conservation not only prevent environmental damage but also restore ecosystem quality. This can be achieved through a mitigation hierarchy that includes avoiding damage, minimising impacts, restoring ecosystems, and regenerating natural conditions. “Nature positive does not only mean halting biodiversity loss, but ensuring that the state of nature becomes better than before,” he explained. He said conservation management can no longer be conducted separately based on designated areas. Instead, a landscape and seascape approach is required, integrating terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem management as an interconnected whole. “We are no longer just talking about landscape, but landscape and seascape as a unified ecosystem connected from land to sea,” he said.

Head of the Indigenous Territory Registration Agency, Kasmita Widodo, asserted that recognising indigenous territories is a crucial foundation for biodiversity conservation efforts in Indonesia. Local communities and indigenous peoples have long practised various environmental protection measures that have contributed to ecosystem preservation. Therefore, strengthening rights over indigenous territories must proceed in tandem with the national conservation agenda. “There will be no biodiversity without indigenous territories, and there will be no nature-positive future without indigenous territories,” he added. The international symposium was organised by the Faculty of Forestry at Universitas Gadjah Mada in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry and various conservation partners. Dean of the Faculty of Forestry Sigit Sunarta said that conservation in the current era of uncertainty requires a new perspective that focuses not only on species but also on ecosystems, governance, and building resilience. He assessed that the complexity of the current environmental crisis cannot be addressed by a single party, necessitating cross-sector collaboration from academics, government, indigenous communities, to civil society organisations in formulating inclusive and sustainable solutions.