Indonesia’s peatlands are some of the world’s most biodiverse habitats – hosting a wide variety of ecosystems and storing substantial amounts of CO2 accumulated over time. However, historical activities such as logging and drainage for plantations have degraded these critical landscapes, disrupting water tables and diminishing their natural carbon storage capacity. Recognising the importance of these ecosystems for climate resilience, Senken supports one of the last intact peatland zones in South Sumatra, aiming to prevent further degradation through conservation measures that directly contribute to climate mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and local livelihoods.

The Sumatra Merang Peatland project exemplifies impactful conservation, combining rigorous assessment with tangible benefits beyond carbon. This project actively restores ecosystems, protects over 31 threatened species — including the Sumatran Tiger, Sun Bear, and Rhinoceros Hornbill — while also bolstering local enterprises like a river-based fishing community. In recognition of these efforts, the project has received the Climate, Community, and Biodiversity (CCB) Gold Standard for both biodiversity and climate and is a showcase initiative within the Natural Climate Solution Alliance (NCSA), in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).