akar.earthForest Carbon and EUDR in Papua
Forest carbon in Papua province after the 2022 split: Mamberamo, Foja and Cyclops forests, sago, cocoa, oil palm, customary land and EUDR exposure.
Papua province, as redrawn in 2022, covers the northern coast and the Mamberamo basin, one of the largest intact lowland forest systems in Indonesia. Forest protection led by customary landholders is the main carbon opportunity, alongside mangrove conservation and cocoa and sago agroforestry. EUDR exposure is concentrated in oil palm in Keerom and Jayapura, cocoa and wood.
What the 2022 split means
In 2022, three new provinces were carved out of Papua: Highland Papua, Central Papua and South Papua. Southwest Papua was later split from West Papua. The remaining Papua province is centred on Jayapura and includes Jayapura city and regency, Keerom, Sarmi, Mamberamo Raya, Biak Numfor, Supiori, the Yapen Islands and Waropen.
Older data and maps labelled “Papua” often cover the whole former province. Always check which boundaries a dataset uses.
Forest and land cover profile
The province includes:
- The Mamberamo basin: a vast lowland and swamp forest system drained by the Mamberamo river, with very low population density.
- The Foja Mountains: remote montane forest within the Mamberamo-Foja wildlife reserve, known for species new to science found on expeditions.
- The Cyclops Mountains near Jayapura: a nature reserve protecting forest and the water supply for the city and Lake Sentani.
- Biak, Supiori and Yapen: island forests with endemic birds.
Forest types range from mangroves and swamp forest through lowland rainforest to montane forest. Sago swamps are widespread in lowlands.
Peat and mangroves
There is some peat and much swamp forest in the Mamberamo lowlands. Mangroves are found at the Mamberamo delta, around Youtefa Bay near Jayapura and along the islands. Youtefa’s mangroves are under urban pressure. See blue carbon.
Main commodities and drivers of forest loss
- Oil palm: estates in Keerom and Jayapura regency, near the border with Papua New Guinea.
- Cocoa: smallholder cocoa in Jayapura, Keerom and Sarmi.
- Sago: the traditional staple, harvested from natural and managed stands. Not an EUDR commodity.
- Timber: logging concessions in parts of the lowlands.
Forest loss is low by national standards but concentrated near Jayapura, Keerom and new roads. Oil palm expansion, logging, roads and urban growth are the main drivers.
Which carbon project types fit
| Project type | Fit in Papua | Key issue |
|---|---|---|
| Forest protection (REDD+, HFLD) | Mamberamo basin, lowland forest near roads | Low historical deforestation |
| Customary forest management | Clan territories across the province | Recognition, internal benefit sharing |
| Mangrove conservation | Youtefa Bay, Mamberamo delta | Urban pressure, remote access |
| Cocoa and sago agroforestry | Jayapura, Keerom, Sarmi | Market access |
Because historical deforestation is low, standard project baselines are hard to justify. High-forest low-deforestation (HFLD) approaches, such as ART TREES HFLD at jurisdictional scale, fit Papua’s situation better. See the REDD+ hub.
EUDR exposure
- Palm oil: estates in Keerom and Jayapura. Recent plantings face the 31 December 2020 cut-off test, and land acquisition must show legality and customary consent. See EUDR and palm oil.
- Cocoa: smallholder cocoa needs plot geolocation and legal land status. See EUDR and cocoa.
- Wood: timber from concessions needs harvest-area geolocation.
Customary land and special autonomy
In Papua, almost all land is held by clans (marga) under customary law. Papua’s special autonomy law recognises customary rights, and the Papuan People’s Assembly (MRP) represents customary, religious and women’s interests.
Permenhut 6/2026 names customary forests as legitimate carbon participants. In practice, projects must identify the right clan landholders, negotiate with all who hold rights, and agree how benefits are shared within and between clans. FPIC is a process, not a signature. See customary forest carbon and benefit sharing.
Sago and the food system
Sago is central to life on Papua’s north coast. Sago swamps are both carbon stores and food systems, and clearing them for plantations or rice removes a staple that communities rely on. Projects that protect sago swamps alongside forest can strengthen food security as well as carbon outcomes, which tends to win strong community support. There is no widely used sago-specific crediting method, so sago is usually treated as part of a wider forest or wetland project. Measurement of sago biomass needs palm-specific equations. Communities’ own knowledge of which stands are mature, which are being rested, and which belong to which clan is essential for mapping. Our field data campaigns can be designed around this kind of local knowledge.
Practical next steps
Confirm provincial boundaries, map clan territories and permits, and check forest estate status. Compare with Highland Papua and Central Papua, and see the forest carbon hub.
Frequently asked questions
What did the 2022 split change for Papua province?
In 2022, South Papua, Central Papua and Highland Papua were created from Papua province. Papua now covers the northern coast and Mamberamo basin, including Jayapura, Sarmi, Keerom, Biak, Yapen, Waropen and Mamberamo Raya.
Which carbon project types fit Papua province?
Protection of high-forest landscapes such as the Mamberamo basin and Foja Mountains, mangrove conservation, cocoa and sago agroforestry, and customary forest management led by clan landholders.
What is Papua's EUDR exposure?
Moderate and concentrated. Oil palm in Keerom and Jayapura, cocoa from smallholders and wood are covered. Sago and fisheries are not.