Palm oil industry labourers at work. Picture: 123RF/TAN KIAN YONG
The verdict comes two months after Indonesia said it would not approve new palm oil permits even after the lapse of a moratorium on plantations. The Sorong district head revoked permits covering 105,000ha held by PLA, SAS and another company called Inti Kebun Lestari, which is also fighting the decision in court.
Indonesia last month joined 127 other nations pledging an end to deforestation by 2030, but just days later appeared to back track, saying that a zero-deforestation goal was at odds with its development interests. Instead, Indonesia promised a “carbon net sink” goal for its forestry sector by 2030, meaning that the sector will absorb more greenhouse gas emissions than it emits.