Indonesia - Methane Emissions Reduction for the Paddy Rice Sector

Rationale

This project directly supports Indonesia’s enhanced climate ambition, as outlined in its 2022 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which raised the country’s unconditional emissions reduction target to 31.89% and its conditional target to 43.20%. Achieving these targets will require targeted interventions in key methane-emitting sectors, particularly irrigated rice cultivation, which remains one of the largest sources of methane emissions in the country.

Methane emissions from the paddy rice sector are currently estimated at 34,860 GgCO₂e, with conventional continuous flooding (CF) practices contributing significantly to this total. These practices, while commonly used to suppress weed growth, are highly water- and resource-intensive. Proven mitigation techniques such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and mid-season drainage offer substantial opportunities to reduce emissions by 30–70% and 7–95% respectively, without negatively affecting rice yields. However, Indonesia does not yet have a national roadmap to guide methane reduction efforts in this sector.

In recognition of this gap, Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS) has requested support from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to develop methane mitigation scenarios for the irrigated rice sector. These scenarios will use system dynamics modelling to identify causal loops and forecast potential impacts, providing critical inputs to the country's forthcoming 2025–2029 Medium-Term Development Plan.

Therefore, this project seeks to deliver a comprehensive methane mitigation assessment for Indonesia’s irrigated rice sector. The assessment will include data-driven scenario modelling and policy recommendations outlining feasible reduction targets and implementable strategies. The results will support Indonesia in developing an evidence-based roadmap that integrates methane reduction into national planning and strengthens the country’s contribution to global climate goals.

Objectives

• To develop methane mitigation scenarios for Indonesia’s irrigated rice sector in collaboration with BAPPENAS and the CCAC Secretariat.

• To provide evidence-based inputs that inform the formulation of Indonesia’s 2025–2029 Medium-Term Development Plan.

• To prepare policy recommendations that outline achievable methane reduction targets and identify actionable mitigation strategies for the rice sector.

• To design a dissemination plan to support the adoption of effective methane mitigation techniques among Indonesian rice farmers.

Activities

To achieve these objectives, the project will:

• Prepare a detailed methane mitigation assessment for Indonesia’s irrigated rice sector, including defined data inputs, modelling assumptions, variables, uncertainties, and limitations, to ensure transparency and methodological rigor.

• Analyze methane mitigation practices across different rice cultivation stages and contexts—such as harvesting, processing, soil types, planting seasons, and agroecological regions—identifying the most effective techniques including alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and mid-season drainage.

• Assess potential co-benefits of mitigation practices, including improved climate resilience of rice production systems and potential impacts on rice yields.

• Compile a set of policy recommendations, including a proposed methane emission reduction target for the irrigated rice sector and a suite of actions and strategies to achieve it, such as incentive mechanisms for farmers, regulatory support, and integration into Indonesia’s 5-year medium-term development plan.

Project Reference: [ID-24-001t] Indonesia - Methane Emissions Reduction for the Paddy Rice Sector