Assessment of High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS)
Background:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action, helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Mercy Corps Indonesia helps people to recover from the crisis conditions they face and then turn it into an opportunity to improve the quality of life. Based on local needs, our programs help people across Indonesia with the tools and support they need. Mercy Corps Indonesia is part of the Mercy Corps family.
The Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance (‘the Alliance’) is a cross-sector collaboration between Zurich Insurance Group, NGOs, and academia. Zurich Insurance Group works with the humanitarian and civil society organizations Concern Worldwide, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Mercy Corps, Plan International, and Practical Action, as well as research partners the International Institute for Applied Systems and Analysis (IIASA), the London School of Economics, and the Institute for Social and Environmental Transition-International (ISET). The Alliance was originally launched in 2013 with the goal of shifting focus from flood response and recovery to pre-event risk reduction. During this time, the partners will together implement a combination of pilot programs, research, knowledge management and work to persuade donors, policy-makers and practitioners to invest in flood prevention and preparedness through: increased and more effective financial investments in flood resilience; improved global and national policy for increased pre-event action to flood resilience; and, improved practice in flood resilience by key stakeholders.
In early 2024, the third phase of ZFRA program has commenced, where the Alliance changes its name into Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance (ZCRA). This change showcases broader scope of works of the Alliance in the new phase, beyond flood hazard. For ZCRA Indonesia, this third phase marks the start of our efforts to expand our reach and impact across other watersheds. While our initiatives will be extended by considering the complexity and dynamics in the new areas, but we will remain focusing in enhancing flood resilience in our current areas in Pekalongan City and Regency. Within the Alliance, Mercy Corps is spearheading the advocacy workstream, yet our activities exceed mere advocacy. Instead, we adopt a holistic approach, blending community-level works with science-based advocacy efforts to better create evidence basis of our message.
Since 2021, ZCRA Indonesia has focused on building community resilience based on economic sustainability through Resilient Livelihoods activities. Meanwhile, coastal areas face permanent flooding and inundation as a result of climate change and anthropological factors, including coastal land use development. Upstream areas, such as Petungkriyono and Talun sub-districts, boast extensive green land cover and biodiversity-rich forests. These forest areas not only possess high ecosystem value but also provide economic value that significantly impacts the sustainability of local livelihoods, such as timber, non-timber forest products, and environmental services.
Efforts to utilize natural resources for economic gain often clash with the need for conservation to achieve sustainable community goals. Currently, Mercy Corps Indonesia's ZCRA is pursuing community-based cultivation methods that integrate conservation approaches. This is crucial as a preventative measure and fosters an understanding that conservation is necessary not only in areas with high carbon stocks but also in agricultural cultivation areas. These areas, in the upstream part of Pekalongan, are generally located on steep slopes, making them highly vulnerable to erosion, landslides, and other gradients due to weather influences, particularly high rainfall. Some of the measures already implemented include:
Planting Vertiver to prevent collapse with vetiver grass. This grass has deep roots and firmly binds the soil.
Strengthen the soil in areas with steep slopes using glisiside stands, which have strong roots and are useful for soil fertilization, and whose leaves can be used as animal feed.
Planting coffee in areas with steep slopes to gradually shift vegetable crops to perennial crops.
To see the suitability of long-term conservation strategies in the MCI's ZCRA study area, the team felt it was necessary to conduct a High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) Study. These studies are essential to map and identify significant conservation values and carbon stocks, while also identifying how communities interact with these resources. Therefore, the results of these studies can form the basis for developing sustainable landscape management strategies in Pekalongan Regency that balance ecological and socio-economic interests.
For details download attachment below.