Environmental Diplomacy in the Context of Global Environmental Governance: A Case Study of the Sumatra Merang Peatland Project

^1,2,3 International Relation, University of Riau, Pekanbaru, Indonesia
⁴ Communication Studies, University of Riau, Pekanbaru, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: dhanang.fawaiz@lecturer.unri.ac.id

Abstract

International cooperation in ecosystem management and restoration is a crucial strategy for mitigating global climate change. This study analyzes the dynamics of international cooperation in the Sumatra Merang Peatland Project (SMPP), a peatland ecosystem restoration project in Musi Banyuasin, South Sumatra, Indonesia, covering an area of approximately 22,900 hectares. The project involves various actors, including international institutions such as the Althelia Climate Fund, national organizations such as Forest Carbon and PT Global Alam Lestari (GAL), and the active participation of local communities. Using a descriptive qualitative approach and the theoretical framework of global environmental governance and environmental diplomacy, this study explores the interactions between global, national, and local actors in supporting the sustainability of ecosystem restoration. The study findings demonstrate that the synergy between international funding support, global certification standards (VCS and CCB), and community-based implementation has a positive impact on carbon emission reduction, biodiversity restoration, and socio-economic empowerment of local communities. This study emphasizes the importance of strengthening local capacity, integrating national policies with global mechanisms, and adaptive governance as key to the success of international cooperation in ecosystem restoration.