Restoring Riau’s Coasts & Peatlands with RCPM Project
- Najma Hasnah
- Jun 10
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 14
On Sumatra’s eastern coast along the Malacca Strait, a vast network of rivers, mangrove forests, and peat swamp wetlands forms one of the world’s most climate-critical and biodiverse landscapes.
However, decades of forest clearing, peatland drainage for plantations, and illegal logging have left much of this region severely degraded—once‐thriving mangroves reduced to barren mudflats and drained peat swamps igniting in frequent fires.
In 2015, uncontrolled peat fires from this area blanketed Southeast Asia in acrid haze, costing Indonesia an estimated US$16 billion and Singapore between S$700 million and S$1.8 billion in economic losses.
That’s where Carbon Tide steps in to restoring Riau Coasts & Peatlands with RCPM Project.
What Is The RCPM Project?
The Riau Coastal, Peatland & Mangrove (RCPM) Project is a community-based project with a 30-year effort to restore and protect over 21,000 hectares of mangrove and peatland ecosystems across four key areas in Riau, including Meranti, Tembilahan, Siak, and Bengkalis.
This project aims to reverse these trends through large-scale ecosystem restoration and community-driven conservation that involves re-wetting drained peat soils, replanting mangroves, and revitalizing sustainable local livelihoods – an integrated approach that curbs greenhouse gas emissions and future fire risk while preserving wildlife habitat and supporting coastal communities. By combining science-backed methodologies like VM0033 (Tidal Wetland and Seagrass Restoration) with Indonesia’s SRN registry, RCPM expects to:
Generate 1.35 million carbon credits annually
Remove and avoid over 40 million tons of CO₂ across 30 years
Directly benefit more than 4,000 local households
Four Key Regions to Restoring Riau Coasts & Peatlands with RCPM Project
Meranti
Area: 8,678 hectares
Landscape: Peatland
Meranti is the largest project zone and one of the hardest hit. Once rich in forest and biodiversity, it has seen large-scale deforestation and frequent fires.
The RCPM project aims to rewet this peatland, preventing further fires and restoring native tree cover. It’s expected to capture over 678,000 tCO₂e annually through both conservation and reforestation. It is also home to the region’s largest community-run nursery, where millions of seedlings are being prepared for planting by the community.
Tembilahan
Area: 3,080 hectares
Landscape: Mangrove
Tembilahan sits on the tidal fringe of Riau, where the river meets sea. Historically known for its mangrove forests, much of the area has been cleared for coconut and areca nut plantations.
Mangroves here will be brought back—over 900,000 trees replanted—restoring not just forests but natural sea barriers. The project here will help absorb over 165,000 tCO₂e annually, while also supporting women-led nursery operations.
Siak and Bengkalis
Combined area: 9,341 hectares
Landscape: Mostly peatland
Though still relatively intact, these areas face creeping pressure from nearby development. Restoration here acts like a buffer—helping prevent further encroachment, protecting existing biodiversity, and reestablishing fire-resistant forest cover. Together, Siak and Bengkalis are estimated to contribute over 585,000 tCO₂e per year in avoided and removed emissions.
Beyond Carbon: Real Impact for Real People
Many of the communities involved face unsafe water, malnutrition, and few employment opportunities. To address these challenges, the RCPM project is introducing kitchen gardens to improve food security, installing water filters and rainwater harvesting systems to provide clean water, and developing biochar production to enrich soils and create additional income. Women and young people are at the forefront of these activities, receiving training and employment opportunities to lead the way.
The RCPM project will not be just about carbon credits, but it’s about improving daily life in places that have long been left behind. Many of the communities involved face unsafe water, malnutrition, and few employment opportunities. To address this, Carbon Tide is rolling out what it calls the Accelerated Co-Benefits Program.
A Project Aligned with Global Goals
The RCPM project supports several UN Sustainable Development Goals. It addresses Climate Action by removing or avoiding more than 30 million tons of CO₂ emissions. It advances Gender Equality through women's participation in key leadership roles. It improves Clean Water access at more than 20 sites. It contributes to Zero Hunger through the development of community food gardens, and promotes Life on Land by planting over 8.5 million trees in critical peatland and mangrove ecosystems.
RCPM also contributes directly to several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here’s what’s targeted:
Goal | Contribution |
Climate Action | >30 million tCO₂e removed/avoided |
Gender Equality | Women in key leadership roles |
Clean Water | 20+ sites to gain safe water access |
Zero Hunger | Community food gardens and nutrition support |
Life on Land | 8.5 million trees planted, 18,000+ hectares restored |
The Timeline
The RCPM project is planned to span 30 years, with restoration activities structured in multiple phases. The implementation will follow a detailed, step-by-step timeline as outlined below:
Progress is already underway. Baseline environmental assessments have been completed and FPIC (Free, Prior and Informed Consent) has been secured with village leaders. Nurseries and water gates are currently under construction, and the project is on track to issue its first carbon credits by late 2026.
Why is This Important?
Indonesia is aiming to sell up to $65 billion worth of carbon credits by 2028, much of it through nature-based solutions. Projects like RCPM, verified under Verra’s VM0033 methodology and Indonesia’s own SRN registry, are crucial to making that happen.
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More importantly, the communities of Riau can’t afford to wait. Fires, floods, and poverty are all worsening. The RCPM project gives them a chance to protect their environment and build a better future—from the ground up.
Indonesia aims to generate up to $65 billion in carbon credit revenue by 2028. High-integrity, community-based projects like RCPM are key to making that possible—while also protecting biodiversity, forests, and future livelihoods.
In Summary
the RCPM project represents a bold and holistic approach to environmental restoration and community resilience. By restoring more than 21,000 hectares of peatland and mangrove ecosystems, generating millions of carbon credits, and directly supporting thousands of households, this initiative serves as a powerful model for how climate solutions can be people-centered. From cleaner air and protected biodiversity to food security and women's empowerment, the impacts of this project ripple far beyond carbon. As Carbon Tide continues to build momentum on the ground, the work in Meranti, Tembilahan, Siak, and Bengkalis offers a hopeful vision of what’s possible when nature and community are given the chance to thrive together.
The story of Meranti, Tembilahan, Siak, and Bengkalis is one of resilience and recovery. Thanks to strong partnerships between Carbon Tide, local leaders, and NGOs like Yayasan Gambut, real change is taking root.
Join the Movement with Carbon Tide
Carbon Tide is a nature-based solutions company driven by integrity, impact, and community partnership. The RCPM project reflects our mission to create climate solutions that are rooted in the real world—solutions that protect biodiversity, support livelihoods, and generate measurable climate outcomes.
Whether you're a policymaker, investor, nonprofit, or citizen passionate about climate and equity, now is the time to act. Join us in restoring ecosystems, rebuilding futures, and shaping a just carbon economy—starting in Riau.
🔗 Learn more at www.carbontide.co
📩 Partner with us: hello@carbontide.co
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