TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's National Energy Policy provides strategic guidance on the use of renewable energy from the forests. The policy aims to increase the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption to 23 percent by 2025 and to 31 percent by 2050. Among others, an education program in the sustainable use of biomass for energy generation, especially from wood, is needed to achieve these targets.

As a complex ecosystem rich in biomass, forests can serve as a source of energy, as well as a vehicle for climate change mitigation through the absorption of energy. In Indonesia, with more than half the land surface covered by trees, there is an abundance of biomass that could be used for Indonesia's energy requirements.

"For many generations, Indonesia's vast forests, and trees outside the forest have met the needs for fuelwood of so many people in the rural areas. Over the recent past, we have embarked to reveal the huge potential of the forests through a sustainable and more efficient generation of energy, such as in the form of wood pellets and biofuels," Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya said in a press release received by Tempo on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.

Siti added that forests also host other forms of energy, such as geo-thermal, hydropower, and even wind power, and represent a huge source of power for economic and human development in Indonesia.

In Gorontalo province, the Environment and Forestry Ministry has developed a bio-energy program, where fuelwood is central to the economy of the villages. It is an example of responding to local initiatives for renewable energy, and effective engagement with sub-national government program and local communities.

"It is good to note that Indonesia’s forests are changing from being a key source of energy towards a vehicle for climate change mitigation, not only for the country, but for the world at large. As forests have a tremendous capacity to absorb and store energy, the sustainable management of forests is essential," said Mark Smulders, FAO Representative in Indonesia.

Smulders added that sustainably managed forests will help Indonesia meet several of its Sustainable Development Goal targets, especially in increasing the supply of renewable energy by 2030. Collaboration among key stakeholders is essential to achieve the sustainable development targets, while ensuring that Indonesia's forests remain a major source of renewable energy for rural people, and a carbon sink to benefit the world’s climate and the health of future generations.

FERY ANDRIANSYAH