Insights: WRI's Blog

New satellite-based data highlight the challenges of reducing forest loss in two of the world’s largest forest-rich countries.

Indonesia has two big goals for 2020 that might seem contradictory: Reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 26 percent, and boost production of several major agricultural commodities, including doubling palm oil produ

New satellite imagery reveals a rash of fires burning in what was once one of the world’s most biologically rich forests—Indonesia’s Tesso Nilo National Park.

Extreme haze caused by forest and bush fires throughout Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia has been a perpetual problem affecting the quality of life and economy of local residents and neighboring countries. As this year’s dry season approaches, the fires are just starting to pick up, especially in the fire-prone province of Riau, Sumatra. They’re already threatening some of the most biodiverse and carbon-rich ecosystems in the country—protected forests and peatlands.

More than a billion people around the world lack access to electricity, most of them in Asia’s developing areas. This stark fact will top the agenda in Manila as the 2015 Asia Clean Energy Forum gets underway today.

I was “on location” last week in Paris at the Business & Climate Summit, where leaders from business and climate policy came together. At the opening plenary, I heard from the CEOs of Statoil and Carrefour, from UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christina Figueres, from President Francois Hollande and many others.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo reaffirmed his commitment to climate leadership this week by renewing Indonesia’s national forest moratorium, which prohibits new licenses to clear key forest areas.

This blog post was originally published for the Guardian on May 8, 2015.

If we are serious about tackling climate change, we need to talk about Indonesia.

Global Forest Watch (GFW) uses data to monitor changes to the Earth’s forests. What can other climate initiatives gain from the project?

In a post originally published for The Guardian, the GFW team discusses public data challenges and lessons learned.

Indonesia's parliament recently approved an agreement to reduce haze pollution from land and forest fires.

Ratification of the law—originally signed 12 years ago—comes not a moment too soon: Fires are currently flaring across southern Sumatra and West and Central Kalimantan, jeopardizing Indonesia’s forests and the communities and wildlife that call these regions home.