ID

Indonesia


22,936 ha

Sumatra Merang Peatland

Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation

A lifeline for Southeast Asia's peatlands

Overview

Sumatra Merang Peatland

ID

Indonesia


22,936 ha


Developer: Forest Carbon

Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation

Southeast Asia’s tropical peatlands are among the Earth’s most vital carbon sinks, storing 77% of the world’s peatland carbon. Indonesia alone holds 57.4 Gt of this carbon, but its forests are rapidly disappearing due to unregulated logging, agriculture, and drainage. The Sumatra Merang Peatland Project (SMPP) is dedicated to protecting these ecosystems. Aiming to restore 22,922 hectares in the Merang-Kepayang peat dome—rich in biodiversity and home to endangered species—SMPP is taking significant steps to address the damage. By revitalizing water flow and forest cover, SMPP mitigates climate change, supports wildlife, and enhances the well-being of local communities.

Connect with our team to learn more about this project and how Pachama can support your nature strategy.

Registry

Verra Logo

Registry ID: 1899

Certifications

Certification - Climate Community and Biodiversity Standards Logo

Methodology

VM0007

Pachama's project evaluation criteriaPachama rigorously evaluates every project listed on our marketplace to ensure that we're surfacing only the highest quality projects. Our Evaluation Criteria includes a series of checks that every project must pass as well as a number of informative insights on project quality. You can see a preview of these checks below.

01

Additional

Does the project have a net additional climate benefit?

  • Net additional climate benefit

    Emissions reductions are calculated based on the difference between baseline, project, and leakage emissions. Pachama analyzes emissions claims to confirm that the project has a net additional climate benefit, and each credit represents at least one metric ton of carbon.

02

Conservative

Is the climate benefit based on sound and conservative claims?

  • Baseline claims

    Pachama analyzes baseline emissions accounting to confirm that the reported baseline emissions are less than what Pachama observes with remote sensing.

  • Project claims

    Pachama assesses the project boundary, project emissions accounting, carbon inventory, and financial and legal additionality.

  • Leakage claims

    Pachama summarizes the project's reported leakage emissions accounting.

03

Durable

Is the climate benefit long-lasting?

  • Ongoing monitoring

    Pachama quantifies emissions since the last verification to ensure the project continues to deliver a climate benefit.

  • Project risks

    Pachama characterizes fire and other natural risks and summarizes buffer pool contributions.

04

Beyond Carbon

Does the project deliver benefits beyond carbon?

  • Social impacts

    If a project occurs on community-owned land, Pachama confirms the community is fully informed of the project activity and impact, consent is given without coercion, and a grievance and redress mechanism is in place.

  • Ecological impacts

    For ARR projects, Pachama analyzes native species planting, species diversity, regional suitability, and reforestation practices.

  • Certifications

    Pachama provides a summary of the project's awarded certifications.

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Project story
Restoring the riches of Merang-Kepayang

Once a vibrant forest, the Merang-Kepayang peat dome in South Sumatra has suffered immense degradation since the 1980s due to commercial logging. Canals carved to transport timber drained its peatlands, leaving them parched and susceptible to fires.

In response to these challenges, the SMPP was initiated to protect and restore 22,934 hectares of peatland. Achieving a historic milestone, the project secured Indonesia's first carbon storage and sequestration license, halting further agricultural conversion. Through dedicated efforts in hydrological restoration, fire prevention, and forest rehabilitation, SMPP is not only revitalizing this essential carbon sink but also preserving the biodiversity that thrives within it.

22,922

hectares of peatland restored and protected.


77%

of the world’s peatland carbon can be found in Southeast Asia’s tropical peatlands.

The project is focused on planting species native to the project region.

The project is focused on planting species native to the project region.

Impacts beyond carbon

Supporting people and the planet

The SMPP aligns with Indonesia's sustainable development and environmental protection goals by focusing on climate action, community support, and biodiversity preservation. It generates employment for locals and provides education and job training opportunities, fostering strong relationships with surrounding villages through participatory processes.

01

No Poverty

The project uplifts community incomes by supporting small-scale farmers, fishermen, and local stakeholders in nearby villages, fostering economic resilience and shared prosperity.

02

Zero Hunger

By sourcing food locally and providing training for craftsmen and women, it enhances livelihoods and quality of life. Investments in women’s groups and community health programs ensure families have access to nutritious food and essential resources.

03

Good health and well-being

We expect that 50% of residents—approximately 1,438 people—will experience improved well-being, while health services will benefit all 5,752 residents in these communities.

04

Quality Education

The initiative aims to improve access to quality education for 45% of the population aged 11-40 in nearby villages—about 2,500 people. It offers ongoing education for teachers, after-school programs, adult education, and improvements to sanitation and school libraries.

05

Gender Equality

The project enhances skills for 25% of women in local families and will employ 75 to 100 people, including 18 to 25 women. We expect about 1,408 women to benefit from improved livelihoods, 2,817 women to gain enhanced health services, and 1,250 women and girls to access better education.

06

Clean water and sanitation

At least 20% of nearby residents—around 1,150 people—will see improvements in water quality and access as the project co-finances household rainwater catchment systems for clean, safe water.

08

Decent work and economic growth

Training programs will enhance skills for 100% of identified community members—23 individuals—and 25% of local stakeholders, roughly 1,438 people.

08

Decent work and economic growth

We expect at least 50% of nearby residents—about 2,876 people—to see improved livelihoods through our project activities.

11

Sustainable cities and communities

Community cleanup initiatives for garbage and plastic waste, including recycling, will foster responsibility and pride while creating value from waste.

13

Climate action

We expect project net emission removals of 5,915,842 tons and reductions of 67,308,950 tons in the project area over its lifetime, significantly benefiting the environment.

biodiversity
Restoring critical biodiversity corridors

SMPP aims to establish vital biodiversity corridors that connect High Conservation Value (HCV) forests, playing a crucial role in conserving habitats near Sembilang National Park. This project serves as a habitat for critically endangered species like the Sumatran tiger, with fewer than 300 individuals remaining in the wild, as well as vulnerable species, including the sun bear, Malay tapir, and Sambar deer. The dense forests are also home to over 200 tree species. Notable species include Melaleuca cajuputi, Campnosperma coriaceum, Carallia brachiata, and Dacryodes costata.

biodiversity image
  • 400

    species in the region identified through monitoring


  • 38

    endangered and vulnerable species identified in the region.

Sumatran Tiger image
animal spotlight
Sumatran Tiger

The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris ssp. sumatrae) is a critically endangered subspecies native to the lush rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia. With fewer than 300 individuals remaining in the wild, this big cat faces extinction due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Characterized by its distinctive dark stripes against a vibrant orange coat, the Sumatran tiger is a vital part of its ecosystem, playing a key role as a top predator.

how this project helps

The SMPP has mitigated several external threats, including illegal logging, forest fires, and hunting. By protecting the native prey base—particularly deer and wild pigs—the site is well-positioned to support Sumatran tigers. Furthermore, the biodiversity team is developing a wildlife-human conflict reduction strategy to proactively address any emerging risks.

Gelam image
tree spotlight
Gelam

Commonly referred to as the Paperbark tree, the Gelam tree thrives in waterlogged soils and is renowned for its medicinal properties, particularly as the source of cajuput oil. It reaches heights of 15 to 20 meters and features a narrow, dense crown and thick, leathery leaves that resemble those of an Acacia. Measuring 5 to 9 centimeters long, these leaves emit a characteristic 'tea-tree' aroma when crushed, enhancing their appeal in traditional medicine.

how this project helps

The distribution and planting of Gelam trees are accompanied by proactive measures, including regular monitoring of the forest area and comprehensive training for staff. These initiatives aim to elevate awareness of the critical role forests play in supporting biodiversity.

Public registry documentsApplicable calculation methods are referenced in the reports below. Note that registries do not publicly provide all pertinent data required to reproduce emissions calculations. However, Independent Validation and Verification Bodies have access to the data needed to reproduce and verify emissions calculations.
  • Verification Report 2020.pdf

    pdf

  • Monitoring Report Annexes 2021.pdf

    pdf

  • Verification Report 2021.pdf

    pdf

  • Monitoring Report 2018.pdf

    pdf

  • Monitoring Report 2020.pdf

    pdf

  • Verification Report 2018.pdf

    pdf

  • Monitoring Report 2019.pdf

    pdf

  • Project Description Document

    pdf

  • Monitoring Report 2021.pdf

    pdf