JAKARTA, Indonesia — A member of the South Korean National Assembly has urged the government to impose a ban on wood pellet imports from Indonesia and to initiate an investigation into the environmental repercussions of these imports. This call comes in light of government data and satellite analyses indicating a connection between South Korea’s biomass imports and deforestation activities in Indonesia.
“We need to halt wood pellet imports and our government must investigate the type of environmental damages taking place,” stated Moon Dae-Lim, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, which is South Korea’s main opposition party. “It is essential to identify and address any risks present in the supply and value chains for a sustainable approach.”
Biomass can derive from organic materials such as plant matter and waste, and numerous coal plants can be retrofitted to utilize biomass alongside coal for energy production. As countries strive to enhance their energy transitions, there is a growing appetite for biomass; the International Energy Agency reported an approximate average yearly increase of 3% in bioenergy use between 2010 and 2022. Experts emphasize that such demand should be met sustainably, preferably using waste materials or crop residues instead of transforming forest land into bioenergy crop plantations.
In South Korea, bioenergy has become the second-largest renewable energy source, with over 80% of its primary raw material—energy-efficient wood pellets—relying on imports, as highlighted in Moon’s policy report published in October.
Recent data indicates that an increasing share of these wood pellet imports originates from Indonesia, which was the third-largest supplier to South Korea in 2023, following Vietnam and Russia. Investigations revealed that more than 60% of biomass derived from untouched natural forests that were cut down for wood pellet production since 2021 was sent to South Korea. Notably, Indonesia’s wood pellet exports to South Korea surged from 50 tons to over 68,000 tons over that period.
From 2021 to 2023, the leading exporter of wood pellets from Indonesia was found to be Biomasa Jaya Abadi, according to research conducted by the Indonesian environmental NGO Auriga Nusantara using data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The company’s facilities are located in Gorontalo, in proximity to land owned by Banyan Tumbuh Lestari.
According to satellite imagery shared by international environmental agency Mighty Earth, over 3,000 hectares (approximately 7,410 acres) of forest have been destroyed on land controlled by Banyan Tumbuh Lestari since 2021, with an additional 2,850 hectares (about 7,040 acres) cleared for logging roads.
“If we cease the imports of wood pellets from Biomasa Jaya Abadi, we could significantly reduce the deforestation occurring in Indonesia aimed at supplying South Korea,” Moon articulated. “An assertive response from the Korean government regarding these forest losses can send a strong message about sustainability not only to Indonesia but also to relevant industries across Asia.”
A spokesperson for Biomasa Jaya Abadi stated that the company sources its forest products strictly from areas designated by the government and emphasizes its commitment to replanting efforts.
“The ecosystem surrounding our wood pellet operations adheres to stringent legality, traceability, and compliance measures to ensure full alignment with all relevant regulations in Indonesia,” the spokesperson noted.
Environmental activists welcomed Moon’s report and inquiries, viewing it as a crucial step towards holding South Korea accountable for its biomass consumption.
“Moon’s inquiries mark a significant turning point. By shining a light on the climate injustices associated with South Korea’s energy policies, these questions place pressure on the Korea Forest Service to address its failure to regulate high-risk imports,” stated Hansae Song, program lead at the South Korean NGO Solutions for our Climate. “We anticipate that this scrutiny will encourage a reassessment of import standards and prompt the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy to reconsider its subsidy policies, which disproportionately benefit a small group of corporate stakeholders at the expense of global forests.”
In response to queries, the Korea Forest Service indicated that it had sought biomass-related data from the Indonesian government through a cooperative forestry center. However, an official response has yet to be received, particularly following a recent reorganization of Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
The Korea Forest Service also confirmed that Indonesia’s wood pellets were produced using legally sanctioned tree-cutting methods, expressing respect for the domestic policies of other nations regarding timber harvesting.