Context

Indonesia’s peatlands are among the most vital carbon-sequestering ecosystems in the world, playing a crucial role in global climate resilience. However, these landscapes face mounting threats from deforestation and human-caused fires, which release vast amounts of carbon, harm biodiversity, and disrupt local communities. Despite efforts to protect and monitor peat forests, existing mapping technologies lack high-resolution data on peat depth—a key factor in identifying conservation priorities.

To bridge this gap, Indonesia’s geospatial information agency, Badan Informasi Geospasial (BIG), partnered with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the World Resources Institute (WRI) to launch the Indonesian Peat Prize, an innovation challenge designed to accelerate the development of a scalable, accurate mapping methodology. The competition attracted 44 teams from 10 countries, all tasked with creating a solution that could contribute to Indonesia’s National Standard (SNI) for peatland mapping.

Approach

To ensure both scientific rigor and cultural relevance, each participating team was required to include an Indonesian researcher familiar with the country’s unique landscape challenges. The competition leveraged insights from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, whose advisors helped shape the challenge development process.

Beyond the technical innovation, the project also prioritized international awareness and stakeholder engagement. Large milestone events in Indonesia provided platforms for knowledge exchange, while multimedia storytelling, signage, and promotional materials ensured visibility at both national and global levels. A short documentary film, produced through an international collaboration, captured the lived experiences of communities affected by peatland mismanagement, highlighting the urgency of sustainable conservation efforts.

Responsibilities

• Directed a promotional film with an Indonesian videography team and an American editing team, capturing local perspectives on the importance of responsible peatland management and conservation.

• Scouted high-profile event locations across Indonesia to host key milestones and facilitate engagement.

• Partnered with Indonesian PR teams to secure global media coverage for the prize and its impact.

• Wrote a feature for Context Partners’ thought leadership publication, The Practice Papers, sharing insights from my experience.