The Green Initiative for Riau (GREEN Riau) is an initiative of the Riau Provincial Government to manage forest and peatland-based climate change mitigation, implemented in an inclusive and equitable manner to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen community resilience, and maintain ecosystem sustainability. GREEN Riau positions Riau as a strategic subnational actor in climate change mitigation, given the significant contribution of the forestry and peatland sectors to regional emissions.
GREEN Riau was developed as a planned effort to access global climate finance through a jurisdiction-based REDD+ approach that provides incentives for emissions reductions at the provincial level. This approach is implemented through strengthened forest and peatland governance, cross-sectoral policy integration, and active community engagement. Throughout this process, UNEP and FAO, with support from the UK-FCDO, provided technical assistance to strengthen institutional readiness, a REDD+ framework, and credible, transparent, measurable, and accountable implementation mechanisms.
GREEN Riau aligns with the FOLU Net Sink 2030 policy, which aims to balance Indonesia's emissions with the carbon sequestration capacity of forests and peatlands. Through this policy, forests and peatlands are expected to absorb significant emissions annually.
With its extensive forests and peatlands, Riau plays a crucial role in Indonesia's low-carbon development. Therefore, Riau is also ready to receive results-based climate financing support through the REDD+ scheme, as a reward for its success in forest conservation and emissions reduction.
Implementation Stages of the GREEN Initiative for Riau (G4RI)
1. Readiness Phase
Strengthening the foundation of jurisdiction-based REDD+ through institutional strengthening, policy harmonization, and the development of emission monitoring systems, social and environmental safeguards, and inclusive benefit-sharing mechanisms.
2. Pre-Investment Phase
Implementation of mitigation actions on the ground to reduce emissions through sustainable management of forests, peatlands, and land use, while supporting improved community welfare.
3. Performance-Based Payment Phase
Distribution of incentives based on performance or verified emission reduction results, in a transparent, fair, and proportional manner to contributing parties.
GREEN for Riau is currently in the Preparation Phase.
What is Jurisdictional Readiness?
Jurisdictional Readiness is an approach that prepares local governments and stakeholders to effectively implement REDD+, enabling them to access performance-based climate finance and support the achievement of emission reduction targets at the provincial and national levels.
Institutions & Governance
GREEN for Riau applies a multi-stakeholder approach involving provincial and district/city governments, the private sector, academia, indigenous and local communities, and civil society organizations. The implementation of this initiative is technically supported by the UN-REDD Programme, led by UNEP with support from the FAO, to ensure alignment with national policies and international standards.
Strategic Approach
- Landscape-scale forest conservation and protection.
- Sustainable land and natural resource management.
- Strengthening multi-stakeholder governance and collaboration.
- Access to high-integrity carbon and climate finance.
Long-Term Impact
GREEN for Riau aims to strengthen community climate resilience, particularly in peatland landscapes, while developing an innovative, credible, and integrated jurisdiction-based REDD+ model that can be replicated at the national and regional levels in Indonesia.
Further Information
For more information about GREEN for Riau, please download the brochure available at the Knowledge Management Center (KMC):
For information about GREEN for Riau, please download the brochure available on the KMC website:
https://green4riau.id/kmc/the-green-for-riau-initiative and
https://green4riau.id/kmc/selayang-pandang-green-for-riau-initiative-green-riau