Indonesia deforestation rises due to Japan biomass demand

A surge in the production of wood pellets and chips in Indonesia is driving a new wave of deforestation, according to satellite analysis from environmental nongovernmental organizations. This trend threatens the archipelago’s tropical forests, biodiversity hotspots, and Indigenous lands.

Japan has emerged as the primary destination for these exports as it seeks to meet renewable energy goals. While biomass accounts for less than 6% of Japan’s electricity generation as of 2024, demand is rising. Critics argue that Japanese subsidies and insufficient supply chain oversight may facilitate the destruction of pristine forests.

Environmentalists and scientists warn that increasing international demand, combined with weak domestic regulation, will accelerate forest loss. Some experts also contend that using biomass for co-firing in coal plants merely extends the use of polluting fossil fuels rather than facilitating a direct transition to cleaner energy sources.