Key facts
- Wildfires in Indonesia threaten forest carbon projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
- The fires impact 225,000 hectares of forest and peatland.
- Millions of respiratory infections have been recorded due to toxic smoke.
- Indonesian authorities have closed 50 companies due to fires.
Wildfires in Indonesia are jeopardizing forest carbon projects valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. The fires, exacerbated by an El Niño event, are burning through 225,000 hectares of forest and peatland, threatening to release significant amounts of carbon and undermine the credibility of the country's carbon credit market. The toxic smoke has led to millions of respiratory infections and prompted authorities to close 50 companies suspected of involvement in the fires. Land conflicts and regulatory challenges also pose risks to the integrity of these projects.