Author: SUPA Component 1 | December 18, 2024 | Community
Youth have always been catalysts for advocating change; in ASEAN, they are at the forefront of climate action. With their passion and innovation, ASEAN youth are championing grassroots initiatives, raising awareness to others, inspiring sustainable practices, and calling for stronger climate policies. Youth plays a critical role in shaping a sustainable future and fostering intergenerational collaboration to tackle the climate crisis. Their message is clear: the time for action is now!
To celebrate this year’s ASEAN Youth on Climate Action Day, which lies on 25 November every year, we will hear the stories from youth involved in promoting sustainable peatland management through the Sustainable Use of Peatlands and Haze Mitigation in ASEAN/Strengthening Regional Experiences on Sustainable Peatland Management in ASEAN (SUPA/ASEAN REPEAT) project co-funded by the European Union and the German Government.
The SUPA/ASEAN REPEAT working closely with the Environment Division of the ASEAN Secretariat, and the ASEAN Member States, aims to promote sustainable management of peatlands in the ASEAN region through collective actions and enhanced cooperation to support and sustain local livelihoods, reduce the risk of fire and associated haze and contribute to climate change. After five years of implementation, it became clear that the initiative had made lasting strides in addressing one of the region’s most pressing environmental challenges—peatland degradation. Over the past five years, the project has not only contributed to the implementation of the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy (APMS) and Haze-Free Roadmap but also laid the groundwork for more resilient and sustainable livelihoods across ASEAN Member States (AMS).
Peatlands are among the most effective natural systems, not only for addressing haze issues but for climate mitigation and carbon sequestration, playing a critical role in the fight against climate change. These waterlogged ecosystems, which cover just 3% of the Earth’s land surface[1], store nearly a third of the planet’s soil carbon, far more than all of the world’s forests combined. Peatlands act as carbon sinks by accumulating organic matter that decomposes slowly in anaerobic conditions, trapping carbon for millennia. However, when drained or degraded by human activities such as agriculture or peat extraction, they can release vast amounts of stored carbon, exacerbating global warming. Protecting and restoring peatlands is therefore vital not only for preserving biodiversity but also for achieving long-term climate stability, as they offer one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels.
While the project was design to support policy makers, its outcomes strongly support youth-led climate initiatives, which empower young people to tackle environmental challenges. The legacy of SUPA provides a robust foundation for future generations, offering tools and insights to sustain efforts in mitigating the environmental and social impacts of peatland degradation. By building on these achievements, ASEAN’s young leaders can ensure continued progress toward a greener, more resilient future.
The SUPA/ASEAN REPEAT project is designed to achieve several key outcomes that promote sustainable peatland management across ASEAN. These include the gradual implementation of the ASEAN Programme on Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystems (APSMPE), the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy (APMS), and National Action Plans on Peatlands (NAPPs) at local, national, and regional levels, supported by enhanced capacities and a focus on peatland areas identified by their degradation rate and potential for rehabilitation. The project also supports the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) and the Haze-Free Roadmap, aiming to significantly reduce peatland fires and the associated haze through effective fire prevention and rehabilitation measures. Additionally, SUPA/ASEAN REPEAT promoted integrated management of targeted peatlands to preserve ecological functions, protect biodiversity, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, the project strives to ensure that peatlands are sustainably managed, enhancing livelihoods and maintaining their economic value for local communities, while contributing to regional efforts for environmental protection and climate mitigation.
SUPA/ASEAN REPEAT, implemented by GIZ, was designed with a multi-level, multi-stakeholder approach to support the sustainable management of peatland ecosystems across the ASEAN region. The project focused on three key work areas aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and capacity building for effective peatland conservation. Work Area 1 focuses on supporting state actors in AMS to implement the ASEAN Programme on Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystems, the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy (APMS), and National Action Plans on Peatlands (NAPPs), with an emphasis on enhancing local, national, and regional capacities and prioritizing key peatland areas for conservation
Work Area 2 provided funding through a restricted call for proposals to AMS, supporting state agencies in implementing projects that align with the APMS and NAPPs. Seven projects were funded across five countries—Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam—focusing on the expected results of the SUPA/ASEAN REPEAT project. In Thailand, the implementation of national activities was implemented by GIZ Thailand. Meanwhile,
Work Area 3 focused on generating pilot experiences in Indonesia and Malaysia, offering technical assistance to develop and test sustainable peatland management practices, with the aim of replicating successful methodologies across the ASEAN region. These pilot projects were intended to identify “good practices” and proofs of concept that could be scaled up for broader regional impact.
“For Peat or For Worse?” Advocating Peatland Conservation in the Philippines
One notable example of youth engagement in the project is Kathryn Almira, a Filipino youth advocate for peatlands. Kathryn co-led the peatland conservation campaign For Peat or For Worse in the Philippines as part of the ESBenePeat project under SUPA’s Work Area 2. To address the gaps in peatland representation in the national conversation about climate change, the ESBenePeat Project launched the awareness-raising campaign, For Peat or For Worse. Kathryn led a team to conduct a media framing study of peatlands and understand how this underrated ecosystem has been represented in the media and perceived by the public in recent years. This research informed the development of the campaign, envisioned to be the bridge that will elevate local voices and promote peatland conservation as a nature-based climate solution. Her leadership in raising awareness and driving community-based action highlights the growing role of young people in shaping the future of peatland conservation in Southeast Asia.
Youth voices from the Pilot Sites: Aceh, Indonesia and and Pahang, Malaysia
Aceh, Indonesia
In 2020, the Directorate of Peat Degradation Control under Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry, in collaboration with the Environment Agency of Aceh Province, selected three Peat Hydrological Units (PHUs) for the implementation of the SUPA/ASEAN REPEAT pilot site. Two of these PHUs were located in Nagan Raya District and one in Aceh Barat District. As part of the project, ten priority villages in these districts were identified for direct involvement in peatland rehabilitation efforts.
The success of the SUPA/ASEAN REPEAT pilot project owes much to the active involvement of youth, exemplified by Riski Ahmad Musyadat. As a member of the Peatland Protection and Management Working Group in Blang Luah Village, Nagan Raya, Riski has taken on a critical role in maintaining the Automated Water Logger, a pivotal tool for monitoring peatland water levels. His contributions underscore the important role young people play in driving sustainable peatland management and supporting the long-term success of conservation efforts in the region.
Nurlaila is another key youth contributor to the project, serving as a village facilitator from Kayee Unoe Village in Nagan Raya District, Aceh Province. She joined the initiative shortly after graduating from the University of Syiah Kuala in Aceh. As a village facilitator, Nurlaila plays an important role in coordinating and supporting community engagement in peatland rehabilitation efforts, helping bridge the gap between local knowledge and sustainable environmental practices.
Pahang, Malaysia
In 2021, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) of Malaysia, formerly known as the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Department of Drainage and Irrigation (JPSM) and the Pahang Forestry Department, designated the Southeast Pahang Peat Swamp Forest (SEPPSF) as the SUPA Component 1 pilot site. The SEPPSF encompasses six Peat Restoration Forests (PRFs) covering approximately 97,700 hectares across the Pekan and Rompin districts in Pahang. The Resak Tambahan PRF is approximately 12,000 ha and is the active intervention pilot site for SUPA/ASEAN REPEAT.
Rosham and Zulhelmy are among the participants involved in the rehabilitation of the Resak Forest Reserve. Both are young members of the local community who have spent much of their lives around the Southeast Pahang Peat Swamp Forest (SEPPSF). Both are also eager to learn and ready to apply their knowledge to contribute to climate actions.
Although the SUPA/ASEAN REPEAT project has officially concluded, its legacy continues to inspire positive change across the ASEAN region. The collective efforts of donors, partners, and stakeholders have left an enduring impact, laying the groundwork for sustained progress in peatland conservation.
Looking Forward
ASEAN youth, can always play a key role in sustainable peatland management and haze issues by doing several activities such as raising awareness, conducting research and engaging with local communities in tackling haze. They can also create educational tools and use social media to amplify climate action and haze efforts. By leveraging their skills and passion, youth may contribute to document peatland, haze and its climate action and promote sustainable practices. Their involvement bridges scientific knowledge with actionable solutions and supports local livelihoods. This proactive engagement ensures the long-term preservation of peatland ecosystems and contributes to further global environmental goals.
Looking ahead, empowering youth to take an active role in engaging with relevant stakeholders particularly the environment sector and protecting these vital ecosystems is essential. As future stewards of our planet, young people bring passion, creativity, and determination to the fight against climate change. By providing them with the knowledge and tools needed to conserve and restore peatlands, we can cultivate a generation ready to tackle environmental challenges head-on. With youth leading the charge, the vision of a more sustainable and resilient ASEAN is not just a hope—it is an achievable future.
Watch the talk show on “The role of youth in raising awareness on peatland conservation,” organized by SUPA/ASEAN REPEAT and People for Peat as part of 4th ASEAN-EU Cooperation and Scholarship Day here:
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