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The Social License to Restore—Perspectives on Community Involvement in Indonesian Peatland Restoration

Author

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  • Benjamin John Wiesner

    (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia)

  • Paul Dargusch

    (School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia)

Abstract

The tropical peatlands of Indonesia are widely recognized as a globally significant carbon stock and an important provider of crucial ecosystem services. However, in recent years they have been increasingly degraded. The Indonesian government has attempted to involve communities in peatland restoration efforts. These attempts were made in recognition of (1) the important role livelihood activities play in land degradation processes and (2) the ‘gatekeeping’ and stewardship role local communities play in ensuring the durability and longer-term effectiveness of restoration activities. Engaging communities has proven challenging for many reasons, but particularly because of the historical distrust local communities have towards land management interventions. In this article, we borrow the concept of a social license to operate (SLO) from the business management literature to understand why and how community involvement impacts peatland restoration in Indonesia. We introduce the concept and conceptual models of a social license to restore (SLR). As a result of engaging with our perspective, readers will be able to identify how issues of government distrust, low levels of community participation, and poverty—and the counterfactual—may impact the longer-term success of restoration initiatives and how a social license to restore may expedite progress in restoration. Secondly, discussing and linking the multi-faceted issues of peatland restoration will highlight its relevance within the land, biodiversity and human well-being nexus.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin John Wiesner & Paul Dargusch, 2022. "The Social License to Restore—Perspectives on Community Involvement in Indonesian Peatland Restoration," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:7:p:1038-:d:858597
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Christopher L. Atkinson & Haris Alibašić, 2023. "Prospects for Governance and Climate Change Resilience in Peatland Management in Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Yohanis Ngongo & Bernard deRosari & Tony Basuki & Gerson Ndawa Njurumana & Yudistira Nugraha & Alfonsus Hasudungan Harianja & Mohammad Ardha & Kustiyo Kustiyo & Rizatus Shofiyati & Raden Bambang Herya, 2023. "Land Cover Change and Food Security in Central Sumba: Challenges and Opportunities in the Decentralization Era in Indonesia," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-23, May.

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