Forest and land fires, as well as damage to peatland ecosystems, threaten not only the environment but also the health and livelihoods of communities, particularly vulnerable groups such as women, children, and indigenous peoples. Cross-sector collaboration, strengthening women’s leadership, and engaging local communities are crucial to building community resilience and ensuring the sustainability of forest and peatland ecosystems. These conclusions emerged from Climate Talk #2: Indonesia’s Climate Mitigation Priorities: Collective Action for Sustainable Forests and Peatlands, held on October 15, 2026, in Jakarta.

Soka Handinah, Team Leader of Project CARE Indonesia, emphasized that ecosystem restoration cannot be measured solely by the number of trees planted. The involvement of women and surrounding communities is also crucial, particularly in ecosystem management and decision-making. Improving data collection and documentation regarding the impact of the environmental crisis on the lives of women and children, especially vulnerable groups and indigenous communities, is a critical action.

Iola Abas, Executive Director of Pantau Gambut, emphasized the importance of maintaining peatland moisture levels and ensuring that efforts to protect the ecosystem also take into account the livelihoods of local communities. Meanwhile, Giorgio Budi Indrarto, Deputy Director of Madani Berkelanjutan, highlighted the importance of improving forest governance and monitoring environmental policies.