Governance issues related to the management and conservation of mangrove ecosystems to support climate change mitigation actions in Indonesia

Mangrove ecosystems in Indonesia show great promise in contributing to climate change mitigation, but they continue to experience significant degradation primarily because of aquaculture conversion. This work analyzes the mangrove governance in Indonesia and how it fits the country's high emission reduction. The study is mainly based on the analysis of existing regulations, interviews with relevant stakeholders, focus group discussions, and series of executive lectures from high-level government officials. Results indicate overlapping authority claims by government institutions stemming from the absence of strong regulations specifically dedicated to mangrove management and conservation. Different government institutions have varied philosophical conceptions and development priorities for sustainably managing and conserving mangroves. This study identifies specific operational regulations that potentially undermine synergies across institutions for mangrove ecosystems. The conflicting regulations relate to coastal reclamation activities, management of mangroves in non-forest zones, and expansion of commercial aquaculture. In addition, several emerging policies, which are anticipated to further encourage ecosystem degradation, are discussed. This work then provides recommendations that can be adopted to foster an improved management and conservation of mangrove ecosystems, with the far-reaching aim to support the country's goals to reduce its carbon emissions. These recommendations include improved orchestrations of policy priorities of different institutions, including the active participation of local communities in the protection and conservation of mangroves. © 2021