Part 4: The scale of the challenge ahead

04.

The scale of the challenge ahead

The findings described in Part 2 and the case studies in Part 3 highlight how irregular and/or unlawful decisions by all levels of government have led to a situation where there are multiple problems surrounding the permits of most of the companies which have sought to develop plantations in Papua Province. This has resulted in Indigenous peoples being denied free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) and unique forest being destroyed. Hundreds of thousands more hectares are still under direct threat of deforestation if existing concessions are developed, yet there is still no real sign that the Oil Palm Moratorium will remove that threat, just as the Forest Moratorium failed to stop the permits being issued in the first place.

In this final part, the roots of poor governance are explored further, focusing especially on understanding who stands to benefit from corrupt or lax oversight of natural resource industries, and how these same interests may be standing in the way of meaningful reform.

Solutions to the problems that result from poor governance can be found if decision-makers have the courage to be open about past failings and show a commitment to justice and transparency. International partners aiming to reduce the impact of their own consumption can also play a role in supporting Indonesia to improve its natural resources sector governance.