The key facts

  • From January to July, fires covered about 202,000 hectares — more than during the same periods in 2019 and 2023
  • The number of foresters and firefighters is planned to be increased from 8,000 to 70,000 people
  • Indonesia reaffirmed its net-zero goal for 2060 and called for providing at least $300 billion in climate financing per year by 2035

Address at COP31 amid a prolonged drought

Hashim Djojohadikusumo, the Indonesian president's special envoy for climate and energy, presented his country's measures to protect forests and fight fires at the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, Anadolu reports. The context of the address is an unusually long dry season: El Niño conditions make the situation especially favorable for fires.

Scale of the fires and measures being taken

According to Djojohadikusumo, from January to July this year forest and land fires covered about 202,000 hectares — more than during the same periods in 2019 and 2023, which were also El Niño years. More than 25,000 members of local communities are involved in fire prevention, and the number of foresters and firefighters is planned to be increased from 8,000 to 70,000 people. The country is also strengthening prevention — forest restoration and law enforcement — and cooperating with regional partners, including on the problem of transboundary haze.

Balancing development and climate goals

“We will not choose between development and climate action,” the special envoy said, emphasizing commitment to economic growth, food and energy security, job creation, and cleaner energy. He assured that the expansion of agricultural land will not affect forest areas, especially primary forests. Indonesia reaffirmed its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 or earlier, protecting 30% of its oceans, and developing 100 gigawatts of solar energy. Djojohadikusumo also called on countries to ensure climate financing and technology transfer — at least $300 billion annually by 2035.