Strengthening National Emission Data, BRIN, and YKAN Conduct Peat Fire Field Test in West Kalimantan

The Ecology Research Center (PRE) of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), in collaboration with Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), conducted a controlled peatland combustion study in Singkawang, West Kalimantan, on 15–18 June 2026. This study aims to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from peat fires, which have long been among the main contributors to national emissions and a global concern. In addition, the study will assess the impact of such fires on air quality and peat soil.

The burning was carried out in a controlled, limited manner under strict supervision, in accordance with research safety procedures. This study is part of efforts to strengthen the scientific basis and fill data gaps in calculating peat fire emissions. The results are expected to support the system for measuring, reporting, and verifying (MRV) greenhouse gas emissions using tested primary field data.

Wahyu Catur Adinugroho, Principal Researcher at BRIN’s Ecology Research Center, explained that this research was designed to generate more accurate empirical data on carbon loss dynamics from peat fires. “So far, emission estimates from peat fires still have a relatively high level of uncertainty. Through controlled field experiments, we can measure key parameters such as the depth of burned peat, biomass loss, and greenhouse gas fluxes, resulting in more accurate emission calculations,” he said.

The study was conducted on degraded peatlands and included three 10 x 10-meter burn plots to ensure consistent data. Various parameters were comprehensively observed, from the characteristics of natural fuels such as shrubs, litter, and deadwood, to changes in the physical and chemical properties of peat.

“We measured emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) before, during, and after combustion using an eddy flux tower and closed dynamic chamber techniques to obtain a complete picture of the fire’s impact on the environment,” Wahyu explained.

West Kalimantan was chosen as the research location because it is one of the regions prone to forest and land fires, particularly in peatland ecosystems. The local community has a tradition of land burning to open fields. The study examined shrubs and secondary forests in degraded peatlands. It took into account factors such as accessibility, land cover types, and fire history.

Peatlands are among the world’s largest carbon storage ecosystems. However, when degraded and burned, they can release significant amounts of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, making them a major source of GHG emissions in Indonesia.

Nisa Novita, a Peatland and Climate Researcher at YKAN, added that the study’s results would help refine the emission factors for tropical peat fires. “Indonesia has often been labelled a major contributor to land-sector greenhouse gas emissions, especially from peatland fires. However, due to limited studies on peat fire emissions, the uncertainty in these calculations remains high,” she said.

She said the study’s findings are crucial for improving the accuracy of national emissions reporting under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and for meeting Indonesia’s emissions-reduction commitments.

“Previous studies mentioned that burned peat depths can reach 30 cm. However, field observations indicate that the figure may be too high. This difference is highly significant when calculating total emissions per hectare per year, especially when multiplied by area and time frame. Therefore, these calculations need to be corrected using more accurate empirical data, as generated in this study,” Nisa noted.

Studying Fire Behaviour for Fire Management

In addition to collecting GHG emission data, this research also aims to study fire behaviour in peatland fires. When the plots were burned, the research team monitored the rate of fire spread, intensity, and environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and wind.

Israr Albar, a forest and land fire management expert, stated that this understanding is important to improve the effectiveness of field fire management. “This information is very useful, especially for Manggala Agni, to understand the direction and speed of fire movement, as well as its characteristics. This allows for more effective fire suppression while ensuring the safety of personnel, particularly in peatlands where access is often difficult,” he explained.

The research received support from various parties, including Tanjungpura University, Manggala Agni Singkawang Operations, and the Marhaban Village Fire Concern Community, where the study was conducted. Controlled burns for research are planned to continue in the coming weeks during the dry season until sufficient data are collected. The findings are expected to improve Indonesia’s national GHG inventory and support the development of more effective, science-based forest and land fire management strategies.