The Climate Village Program (CVP) is one of the national flagship programs of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia to support emission reduction and climate resilience. This paper examines the challenges and strategies for implementing the climate village program in the national and sub-national contexts. Data and information derived from discussions, seminars, focus group discussions, and interviews with local government officials in East Kalimantan were used to analyze the social learning of the CVP plus, including those on the policy process and its concept, integration program, and implementation. Sustainable strategies need to be addressed by integrating the CVP plus into the medium-term development plan of the region. The challenges and way forward of the CVP plus could be an excellent lesson for implementation in all provinces of Indonesia to support FOLU (Forest Other Land Use) Net Sinker 2030 and LTS-LCCR (Long-Term Strategy on Low Carbon and Climate Resilience) 2050. Key challenges and strategies for the CVP plus are highlighted in the planning and implementation phases, especially in improving climate resilience. This study also points out the steps of implementation of the CVP, development partners and their roles in relation to climate change and other socio-economic facts that make it difficult to engage real stakeholders in the implementation of the CVP plus.

Pemerintah Kalimantan Timur (Kaltim) mengeluarkan kebijakan dan program Kaltim Green, Low Carbon Growth Strategy (LCGS), Strategi Rencana Aksi Provinsi Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (SRAP REDD+), dan Rencana Aksi Daerah Gas Rumah Kaca (RAD GRK). Kebijakan ini untuk memperbaiki tata kelola hutan dan lahan (TKHL) untuk mendukung pemerintah menurunkan emisi GRK dunia melalui rencana aksi (mitigasi) sebesar 26% dan 41% hingga tahun 2020. Tujuan studi ini untuk menyampaikan hasil kajian sosial, ekonomi, budaya dan politik yang berkontribusi terhadap deforestasi, degradasi hutan dan lahan. Termasuk relasi aktor formal dan non formal dalam proses pengambilan kebijakan daerah serta isu-isu strategis TKHL terkait perencanaan tata ruang, proses kebijakan tata ruang, perijinan, dan penganggaran. Pengumpulan data dilaksanakan di Kabupaten Paser, Kaltim pada periode tahun 2012-2013 dan dilanjutkan studi meja (desk study) tahun 2014. Metode pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui wawancara mendalam (dept interview), Kelompok Diskusi Terfokus (Focus Group Discussion/FGD) dan studi literatur. Metode analisis data menggunakan analisis masalah (analisis konteks dan kebijakan) dan analisis stakeholders (analisis aktor). Hasil studi menyebutkan bahwa deforestasi terbesar disebabkan karena izin-izin di bidang kehutanan dan perkebunan, sedangkan degradasi hutan dan lahan disumbangkan dari kegiatan pertambangan. Hal tersebut didukung dari struktur politik, legislatif memberikan kontribusi dukungan yang besar atas penguasaan dan pemanfaatan sumber daya alam bagi eksekutif. Kata Kunci: deforestasi, degradasi hutan dan lahan, Tata Kelola Hutan dan Lahan (TKHL), Kabupaten Paser

Coral reefs in Wakatobi National Park, located within the Indonesian Coral Triangle, are a vital marine ecosystem with significant ecological and economic importance. However, they face increasing threats from direct human activities and climate change. This study aims to predict the habitat suitability of the dominant coral species, Acropora spp., in Wakatobi National Park under various climate change scenarios projected for 2050. A Habitat Suitability Model (HSM) was developed using the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) approach. Occurrence data for Acropora spp. were obtained from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), while current and future environmental variables (based on Representative Concentration Pathways/RCP 2.6, 6.0, and 8.5) were obtained from Bio-Oracle 2.2 and the Global Marine Environmental Dataset (GMED). These variables included sea surface temperature, salinity, surface water velocity, dissolved oxygen, euphotic layer depth, pH, primary productivity, and chlorophyll concentration. The results forecasted changes in the suitable habitat area for Acropora spp. Currently, 578.5 km2 of coastal waters are classified as “suitable” habitat, with 69.7 km2 designated as “very suitable.” However, under the 2050 RCP projections, a significant reduction is expected. “Very suitable” zones are projected to disappear entirely, while the “suitable” area is anticipated to decrease, from 487.9 km2 (RCP 8.5) to 550.6 km2 (RCP 2.6). The most pronounced reductions are expected around Kaledupa Island and the northern part of Tomia Island. Chlorophyll concentration was identified as a key factor influencing optimal habitat for Acropora spp. Since chlorophyll levels are often linked to nutrients from anthropogenic runoff, the combination of nutrification and climate change are likely to significantly affect Acropora spp. Therefore, wastewater management is a crucial priority to enhance their resilience and reduce its vulnerability to climate change.

The Dayak community in East Kalimantan is renowned for practicing traditional Agroforestry (AF) across generations. Meanwhile, despite the long-term introduction of cacao (Theobroma cacao) in 1996 as a potential commodity in the AF practice, its productivity still needs to be improved. This study aimed to analyze the challenges as well as develop strategies for adapting and transforming traditional AF practices into Smart Agroforestry (SAF) systems for cacao. The implementation of cacao SAF is anticipated to enhance cacao productivity, improve the welfare of local communities, and preserve the forest’s function as a crucial life support system for the Dayak Community in Mahakam Ulu (Mahulu) District. Data were collected through the Triangulation Method, using interviews of selected respondents with structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews with key informants, and focus group discussions to verify and validate the data. Additionally, participatory mapping was carried out on AF cacao pattern to identify the area and its cultivation technique. We also obtained secondary data from local government sources in East Kalimantan. Data were processed using qualitative descriptive analysis, gender, and SWOT analysis. The results showed that the development of cacao-based agroforestry in Mahulu District was carried out by applying the green economy concept and considering the potential for cacao marketing, socio-economic culture, gender, and traditional knowledge. However, further development efforts are needed to improve traditional cultivation towards SAF practices. This requires multi-stakeholder collaboration from the regional level, comprising farmers and village government to the central government. Several important factors should be considered for better management of cacao cultivation. These factors include intensifying input production to increase land productivity, assuring land ownership status, improving the quality of products, increasing access to capital, as well as strengthening local institutions for a more effective and efficient marketing process.

Sungai Manggar Protected Forest (SMPF) was designated as a protected area by the Indonesian Government in 1996, covering an area of 4,999 hectares, according to the Decree of the Minister of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia Number 267/Kpts-II/1996. The management of SMPF is carried out by the Protected Forest Management Unit of Balikpapan (FMU of Balikpapan/KPHL Balikpapan). However, the FMU of Balikpapan faces tenurial conflicts because of various interests. This study aims to map the typology, sources of problems, and parties involved in tenurial conflicts in SMPF, particularly those located at Kilometers 23 of the Balikpapan - Samarinda Road. The approaches used in this research are key informant interviews, focus group discussions, participatory mapping, and field observations. Data analysis used Rapid Tenure Assessment (RaTA), historical data, and qualitative descriptive methods. The results show that the tenurial conflict occurred due to the rejection of farmer groups that had been carrying out agricultural activities before the government established SMFP. The parties involved in the tenurial conflict include: FMU of Balikpapan, local community in Kilometers 23 Balikpapan – Samarinda Road, Balikpapan City Government, and the Department of Food Security, Agriculture and Fisheries of Balikpapan City (Dinas Ketahanan Pangan, Pertanian dan Perikanan Kota Balikpapan/DKP3). This study recommends resolving the conflict by considering the basis for land claims and referring to existing policies for resolving tenure conflicts, specifically the Land Tenure Settlement in the Framework of Forest Area Arrangements (Penyelesaian Penguasaan Tanah dalam Kawasan Hutan Negara dengan Penataan Kawasan Hutan/PPTPKH).

Shorea balangeran (Korth.) Burck is widely distributed in Southeast Asian peat swamp forests although it is not endemic to this habitat type. This study examines the ecological and biological characteristics and interactions of S. balangeran in peat swamp forests, and in particular its interactions with co-occurring species and its capacity for adaptation to challenging environmental conditions. The study addresses key questions relating to the soil characteristics in areas where S. balangeran thrives, the nature of associations with commonly co-occurring species, and how the findings might inform peatland restoration strategies. Vegetation data, soil samples and species association records arising from field surveys conducted in a peat swamp forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, were analysed. S. balangeran was found to be the second most dominant species in the area, and to show positive associations with other species such as Gonystylus bancanus and Cratoxylum arborescens , suggesting shared habitat preferences or environmental tolerances. S. balangeran was commonly found in moderately acidic soils with high organic matter and low nutrient content, indicating its adaptability to nutrient-poor conditions. These findings highlight ecological characteristics of S. balangeran that may commend it for use in peatland restoration programs. However, further research is needed to fully understand its role in ecosystem functioning and resilience.