Home | Blog | Supporting biodiversity and carbon-removal in Indonesian Borneo

By Faith Sayo, 26th April 2024

Category: Environment

Our conscious customers offset the footprint of their driving through carbon-removal projects that also give back to local communities and help nature thrive.

One of the projects we are supporting is the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve in Indonesian Borneo.

Before we take a closer look at the Rimba Raya in Borneo’s tropical forests, it’s important to understand why nature-based carbon-removal projects are so important.

Nature-based solutions vs. tech-based solutions in carbon offsetting

The fight against climate change demands a multifaceted approach. While both tech-based and nature-based solutions offer pathways to carbon offsetting, nature-based projects have a host of additional benefits:

1. 1. Beyond carbon capture
   Tropical forests like Rimba Raya are Earth’s lungs, not only absorbing and storing vast amounts of carbon but also providing crucial ecological services. They purify water, control floods, and conserve soil – vital functions absent in purely tech-based solutions.
   Additionally, nature-based solutions actively support biodiversity. By creating and protecting habitats, they promote the survival of endangered species and bolster the resilience of entire ecosystems, unlike any technological solution currently available.
   Furthermore, projects like Rimba Raya often work hand-in-hand with local communities, providing sustainable livelihoods, education, and healthcare – creating a positive social impact that tech-driven solutions rarely address.
2. 2. Long-term carbon storage
   Forests and wetlands act as natural carbon sinks, storing carbon for centuries. This offers a more permanent solution compared to some tech options with limited storage capacity or potential for carbon leakage.
   Additionally, natural solutions are less susceptible to technical failures or economic downturns that might impact the effectiveness of some tech solutions.
3. 3. Additional environmental benefits
   Forests go beyond carbon sequestration by improving air quality through their natural ability to filter pollutants. Some tech solutions, on the other hand, may have their own environmental footprint.
   Moreover, healthy ecosystems are more resilient to climate change, mitigating its impact on communities and natural resources. This provides an additional layer of benefit unavailable in tech-based solutions.
4. 4. Cost-effectiveness
   Nature-based solutions offer a broad spectrum of cost-effective options depending on the project and location. This provides flexibility and adaptability compared to potentially more expensive technologies.
   Additionally, many nature-based projects attract additional funding from government grants or private investors, potentially lowering the overall cost.

A closer look at Rimba Raya

Rimba Raya wasn’t always the haven it is today. The project’s inception was a response to the imminent conversion of this carbon-rich peatland forest into palm oil estate.

The Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve, developed by InfiniteEARTH in 2009, stands as a stronghold against the encroaching threat of deforestation in the area. Had it not been for Rimba Raya, over 100 million tonnes of carbon would have been unleashed into the atmosphere, intensifying the global climate crisis.

It is now a 640-square-kilometer, protected peatland forest supporting biodiversity, thriving communities, and impactful conservation efforts. While carbon capture is a crucial aspect of Rimba Raya’s work, its impact extends far beyond carbon:

• Climate positive: Every ton of CO₂ prevented here is equivalent to removing a million cars from the road for a year. That’s staggering 44,081,161 tonnes prevented as of 2023, making a significant improvement in Indonesia’s carbon emissions.
• Biodiversity: Rimba Raya provides sanctuary to over 55 critically endangered species, including orangutans, hornbills, and countless others. Its diverse ecosystem is a vital haven for over 350 million tonnes of carbon stored within its peat domes.
• Community upliftment: Over 9,000 people in surrounding villages benefit from the project’s initiatives. It brings improved healthcare, access to clean water, and scholarships, while adults gain valuable skills through training programs, paving the way for a bigger future.
• Education and empowerment: Children receive essential resources and scholarships, while adults gain valuable skills through training programs, paving the way for a brighter future.
• Sustainable practices: Rimba Raya champions responsible practices like mangrove restoration, fire prevention, and community-based conservation, ensuring long-term sustainability and positive impact.

Supporting the Rimba Raya project

By choosing The Green Insurer, you can directly contribute to Rimba Raya’s success.

If you have our app, we will use your milage, Green Driving Score and your car details to calculate how much carbon has been produced.

We then automatically offset that carbon trough our partnership with Earthly by investing in impactful nature-based solutions like the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve.