Fuelling the fires: Practical steps towards wildfires in Indonesia

Abstract

Forest and land fires occurs in numerous countries, including Indonesia. Even countries with the best technology and equipment, such as the US, Australia and European countries - have strong management and government as well as the funds to better prevent their forest and land fires. This paper argues that forests and land fires can occur in different places, regardless of its plantation. Thus, it shows that palm oil plantations do not necessarily cause such fires, as many have argued for the case of Indonesia. Russia, the US, Australia, Portugal and Italy for example do not have oil palm plantations, but forest and land fires have taken place, even more severe than in Indonesia. This paper will look at the distribution of the fires based on sector and land use. At the same time, by using the case of Indonesia, it will also provide update information on forest and land fires in Indonesia and efforts by stakeholders in palm oil governance.