FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PALM OIL AND ENVIRONMENT (ICOPE) 2016
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Nusa Dua-Bali, 17 Maret 2016 - The second day of the fifth annual International Conference on Oil Palm and Environment (ICOPE) highlighted slash-and-burn practices, peatland restoration, greenhouse gas footprint and remediation in relation to the conference's main theme: "Sustainable Palm Oil Industry and Climate Change: The Way Forward Through Mitigation and Adaptation".
WWF Indonesia reminds all stakeholders of the haze disaster that occurred last year across almost all of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Although the impact was also exacerbated by the prolonged El Nino, this disaster was perceived by many to be related to irresponsible palm oil industry elements. Many reports reveal that the haze is also causing health concerns and affecting the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people from the affected areas. WWF is concerned that preventive measures against land and forest fires need to be taken continuously, especially on peatlands. Given that when peatlands are burned, cleared and drained, large amounts of carbon are released into the atmosphere.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Indonesia calls on all relevant parties to give more serious action on efforts to protect peatlands, by reviewing development policies in key related aspects. These preventive measures need to be taken continuously to reduce the potential for land and forest fires this year and in the future. Dr. Efransjah, CEO of WWF Indonesia said, "The palm oil industry must recognize the need to integrate early warning systems to prevent a repeat of last year's haze disaster, as well as ensure that the involvement of local residents is a beneficial imperative."
In responding to the need for climate change mitigation, WWF also appreciates the actions taken by the Government of Indonesia, one of which is through the establishment of the Peatland Restoration Agency. The agency is expected to lead and drive innovative intervention strategies to address the complex challenges between peatlands and the palm oil industry chain. "We must end the repetition of collective negligence and the blame game when it comes to haze, we share the same risks and responsibilities, starting from the prevention level," said Irwan Gunawan, Deputy Director Market Transformation WWF Indonesia. He also added that remediation is not just a theory of change on paper, but must be implemented in the field.
WWF Indonesia, in particular, hopes that all participants of the fifth ICOPE this year, can make this biennial conference a valuable opportunity for key players in the palm oil business to exchange ideas in the midst of the still improving global palm oil market. WWF Indonesia believes that sustainability will remain a comparative advantage for those who implement it as a capital expenditure for long-term economic resilience.
Further information,please contact:
- Irwan Gunawan, Deputy Director Market Transformation.
email: igunawan@wwf.id
mobile: +628128748535
- Dewi Satriani, Campaign and Public Mobilization Manager
email: dsatriani@wwf.id
mobile: +62811910970