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DTE's quarterly newsletter provides information on ecological justice in Indonesia.

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DTE publications

Pressure mounts against EU biofuel targets

Down to Earth No. 72 March 2007

NGOs are campaigning against the adoption by the European Union of mandatory biofuel targets, a move that will prompt the further expansion of oil palm plantations in Indonesia, more appropriation of indigenous lands, more forest loss, and, ironically, higher carbon emissions.

Hundreds of NGOs worldwide, and thousands of individuals have called on European Union (EU) politicians to say 'no' to biofuel targets when they decide on the issue in early March.

A report from the RSPO

Down to Earth No. 72 March 2007

The fourth Roundtable meeting on Sustainable Palm Oil was held in Singapore on 21-22 November 2006. The oil palm advocacy network, Sawit Watch, organised the participation of a 25-strong contingent of Indonesian CSO representatives.

Smallholders and the RSPO

Down to Earth No. 72 March 2007

Smallholders or peasant farmers play an important role in the world market for edible oils. Around 30% of Indonesian palm oil comes from this sector.

Interview: Thoughts on the RSPO

Down to Earth No. 72 March 2007

Zulfahmi, former director of Riau NGO forest network Jikalahari, is a member of Sawit Watch and has attended several meetings of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), including the latest (RT4) in Singapore, last November.

Kampuh villagers want a fair deal

Down to Earth No. 72 March 2007

This is a summary of an interview with a representative of Kampuh village, Bunti subdistrict, Sanggau, West Kalimantan - a community which has been affected by the oil palm company PT MAS II.

Dayak villagers succeed in fining oil palm company

Down to Earth No. 72 March 2007

The following account was compiled by Erma Ranik of the West Kalimantan NGO, PENA.

A palm oil company, PT Airlangga Sawit Jaya, has admitted fault and has paid compensation amounting to Rp274,366,000 (USD30,485) to the Engkadik Pade indigenous community, in Landak, West Kalimantan.

The case began in May 2006, when PT Airlangga Sawit Jaya held a meeting in Engkadik village, Serimbu subdistrict, with several local government officials.

Changes in mining laws to come into force in 2007

Down to Earth No. 72 March 2007

Two significant changes to national regulations on mining are due to affect the mining industry in Indonesia. The mining minister, Simon Sembiring, said recently that the Indonesian government was intending to approve laws to ensure that more of the mineral resources mined in Indonesia will be processed within Indonesia rather than be shipped abroad. As well as this, new laws are due to come into force in early 2007 that will strengthen the role of regional governments in assigning and approving mining contracts in their regions.