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In Brief... DTE 83, December 2009

Down to Earth No.83, December 2009

Hydro-dam for Papua

Papua's provincial administration has announced plans to develop a hydro power project with a maximum capacity of 2000MW to provide electricity and support infrastructure development.

NGOs accused of 'crying wolf' over Tangguh human rights risks

DTE 82, September 2009

The giant Tangguh gas project in Bintuni Bay, West Papua, has now started exporting LNG, amid continuing concerns about social and environmental impacts.


After many delays, the Tangguh project, operated by UK oil multinational, BP, has begun production, with the first shipments of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) delivered to China and South Korea in July 2009. There is much at stake for many people in this operation, not least for the local communities who will be regularly seeing tanker ships ferrying LNG away from their shores. They and the wider Papuan community have been sold this project on promises of development and improved welfare. However, as income starts to flow from this project, concerns about increased militarisation, threats to livelihoods and resource rights persist.

AMAN calls for emissions reductions and FPIC in REDD projects

Down to Earth No.82, September 2009

AMAN, Indonesia’s Indigenous Peoples’ Alliance, has issued a statement on climate change. The Sinar Resmi Declaration was agreed at a national meeting of the organisation, hosted by the Banten Kidul indigenous community in West Java.

Sawit Watch calls for EU to face up to oil palm responsibilities

Down to Earth No.82, September 2009

European countries are turning to agrofuels for energy and transport as part of their strategy to move away from fossil fuels and meet greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. The use of palm oil as an agrofuel source has drawn strong criticism due to the severe social, environmental and negative climate change impacts, which contradict industry claims that it is a 'green' fuel.

Indonesia's International Treaty Obligations

Down to Earth No.82, September 2009

Indonesia's policy and practice in relation to sustainable development, climate change and human rights is to a significant extent governed by its obligations under international treaties and other international instruments.

Ten years of AMAN

Down to Earth No.80-81, June 2009

To mark the ten year anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago, DTE has translated a speech by AMAN's Secretary General on March 17th 2009.

RSPO certification - sustainability for whom?

Down to Earth No.80-81, June 2009

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has started awarding certificates to palm oil producers, even though some of those companies are involved in unresolved conflicts with local communities.