Support Indigenous forest protection in Borneo

Hello again dear friends and supporters,

It's been a busy few months at The Borneo Project, as communities continue their campaigns in the Baram region of Sarawak. 

Communities impacted by the proposed cascading dam projects along the Tutoh and Apoh rivers have continued demanding greater transparency and genuine consultations. Our partners on the ground SAVE Rivers submitted a petition to the Premier's office, along with multiple letters on behalf of the communities. Having received no response for many months, civil society organizations have finally been invited to stakeholder meetings to discuss the plans. 

In other news, the government of Sarawak has approved three study permits for carbon projects, marking its initial foray into the carbon market. Unfortunately, two of these permits have been awarded to Shin Yang and Samling, infamous logging companies with long histories of deforestation, environmental degradation, and conflicts with local communities.

While carbon credit schemes are promoted as a key solution to combating climate change, a growing number of global reports indicate serious flaws, corruption, and dysfunction within the majority of these projects. Investigating carbon credits will now become a primary focus for The Borneo Project and our local partners. We have already received reports from worried communities who have been informed they will lose access to their forests. 

Additionally, there are concerning signs of a lack of transparency from both the government and the companies involved. Project proponents like Deputy Premier Awang Tengah and Samling CEO Lawrence Chia claim that no trees will be cut down for these carbon credit schemes. We will work closely with communities to ensure these promises are upheld as the green rush arrives in Borneo.

For all the latest news, head to borneoproject.org

In solidarity,

Jettie Word, Director.