Responsible Resource Management Key to Sustainable Development in Asia

This year marks the milestone when Asia's economies have overtaken the rest of the world in terms of purchasing power parity. However, a much more significant impact comes not from the greater prosperity but the opportunity to adopt and lead sustainable development.

With 50 percent of global BDP expected by 2040, the way the continent manages, produces, and consumes natural resources can have a great impact on global sustainability.

The Telegraph reported that in Indonesia, for example, the government and forward-looking companies are working together toward the environmental solution while at the same time meeting the development needs for a population of 260 million. 

“The country continues to tackle major challenges in halting deforestation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving infrastructure, and ensuring continued improvement in access to quality education and fundamental healthcare. By some measures, it is making notable progress. A World Resources Institute report in 2017 found there had been a 60pc drop in tree cover loss in Indonesia’s primary forests since the previous year,” said Anderson Tanoto, member of the executive committee of Asia Pacific Resources International Limited.

Many of the big table players in Indonesia’s forestry and agricultural sector have committed to zero deforestation, zero new development on peatland, and to protect primary forests — all that without stalling economic and community progress.

Many of the big table players in Indonesia’s forestry and agricultural sector have committed to zero deforestation, zero new development on peatland, and to protect primary forests — all that without stalling economic and community progress.

Restorasi Ekosistem Riau, a pioneering private sector-led collaborative project, is currently restoring 150,000 hectares of peatland forest, which is about the size of Greater London.