Should Canada Fund Peatland Restoration in Indonesia?
Official title: Sungai Gelam Peatland Restoration Initiative - FINCAPES Project - Public Comments Invited
Global Affairs Canada is funding a project to restore degraded peatlands in Indonesia. The FINCAPES project, run by the University of Waterloo, plans to install canal blocks to rewet 47 hectares of damaged peatland in Jambi. This is part of a 5.5-year climate adaptation initiative.
Why This Matters
Your tax dollars fund international climate projects like this one. Peatlands store massive amounts of carbon—when they're drained, they release greenhouse gases. This project aims to show whether blocking drainage canals can restore these ecosystems cost-effectively.
What Could Change
Three semi-permanent canal blocks will be installed to rewet degraded peatland. If successful, this approach could be scaled up across Indonesia's 1,764 hectares of community-managed peatland. The project runs from 2025-2028 with ongoing monitoring.
Key Issues
- Should Canada fund peatland restoration projects in Indonesia?
- Is installing canal blocks an effective method for rewetting degraded peatlands?
Indigenous Consultation
This consultation requires engagement with Indigenous communities under the Crown's duty to consult.