Scientists have described Indonesia’s 25 million hectares of peat lands as a carbon bomb. Drained for agricultural purposes, the peat lands already account for millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere each year.
Indonesia is the world’s third largest carbon emitting nation, trailing only China and the US.
Despite protests and fierce criticism from environmentalists, the Indonesian government bluntly admitted the decision was based on its desire to see further expansion of the domestic palm oil industry.
