Indonesia and UK advance climate financing for elephant conservation in Aceh

Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the initiative goes beyond species protection, positioning it as a conservation financing model that integrates biodiversity protection, sustainable forest management and community welfare.

PECI, now a priority under Indonesia–UK cooperation, was formalized through an amendment to a memorandum of understanding that includes a specific focus on Sumatran elephant conservation.

The project aims to protect elephant habitats, promote sustainable landscape management and mitigate human-wildlife conflict in the Peusangan region. The initial area will cover 20,000 hectares, with potential expansion to 80,000 hectares to create an integrated ecological corridor.

The initiative is in its preparatory stage, including institutional setup, technical planning and coordination among government agencies, development partners, businesses and local communities, Antoni said.

He recently met British Minister for the Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra in Jakarta to discuss implementation.

Antoni said the program supports Indonesia’s Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) Net Sink 2030 target and strengthens the country’s role in global forest and climate leadership.

Beyond PECI, Indonesia and the UK are collaborating on sustainable landscape programs, forestry governance and nature-based financing instruments such as blended finance, carbon credits and biodiversity credits under their 2022 FOLU Net Sink partnership framework.

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Translator: Arnidhya Nur Z, Resinta Sulistiyandari