It’s been a big year for The Borneo Project! From challenging corporate giants to strengthening global alliances, we’ve been making waves in the fight to protect Sarawak’s forests and Indigenous communities. Here’s a look at three impactful wins we’re proud of this year – and what’s on the horizon as we continue working to secure a more just and sustainable future for Borneo
2024 has been key in pushing for accountability in Sarawak’s timber industry. In partnership with SAVE Rivers, KERUAN, Bruno Manser Fonds, and RimbaWatch, we released How to Fix Critical Flaws in Malaysia’s Timber Certification System (MTCS)– a report that lifts the veil on the dark side of Malaysia’s certification schemes. We revealed major gaps in oversight and a lack of safeguards for Indigenous rights – all of which contributes to unchecked rainforest destruction.
We took the fight to Europe, advocating with our Malaysian partners in Brussels to designate Sarawak as a high-risk region under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This designation would put the spotlight on Sarawak’s shady timber practices and limit its access to lucrative European markets. It’s one way of putting global eyes – and pressure – on Sarawak’s forests, and demanding lasting protections.
This year, we also helped expose a newly approved logging concession in the Baram Peace Park near the village of Ba Data Bila. For years, the communities in this area have fought to protect their ancestral lands. Despite this, the Sarawak Forest Department granted a new license to log, putting community conservation efforts in jeopardy. By constantly monitoring the state of community lands on the ground, we’re making sure that any threats to these precious forests are exposed and brought to public attention.
Our campaigning brought us closer to home this year, when we joined the Yurok Tribe and EPIC (the Environmental Protection Information Center) on California’s Klamath River for a once-in-a-lifetime exchange on dam removal. Indigenous tribes on the Klamath River campaigned for dam removal for decades, and this year celebrated the removal of four dams along the river – the largest river restoration in U.S. history. Our partner Celine Lim from SAVE Rivers joined us to witness the impact of their efforts and strategize about ways to increase international Indigenous solidarity on river protection efforts.
This visit hit close to the heart of our work in Sarawak, where we face yet another dam-related challenge. Near the Gunung Mulu National Park in the Tutoh-Apoh region, state-owned Sarawak Energy has proposed a series of cascading dams. These dams could seriously threaten the fragile ecosystem of this critical World Heritage Site. With SAVE Rivers, we’re closely monitoring these plans and supporting community petitions against the dam project.
Through our continued exchanges with tribes in California, we’re strengthening international solidarity and reinforcing community-led advocacy. Together with SAVE Rivers and other allies, we’re committed to defending these sacred waters, from the Klamath to the Tutoh, and ensuring the voices of Indigenous communities are at the forefront of every decision.
As the threats to Sarawak’s lands and peoples grow more pressing, so does our commitment to coalition building. This year, our alliance with SAVE Rivers is stronger than ever, underscoring the importance of collaboration in our shared mission to protect Borneo’s forests and communities. Through professional development and hands-on advocacy, coalition members like Celine Lim and Dayang Ukau of KERUAN have represented Indigenous voices at high level meetings on the international stage.
The Borneo Project is expanding its capacity to support this movement. We welcomed Jessica to our team this year, and with her experience on the ground in Sarawak, we’re amplifying our outreach and advocacy efforts. This growth reflects our dedication to scaling our impact as new challenges emerge, ensuring we’re better equipped than ever to advocate for Indigenous rights, environmental protections, and sustainable development in Borneo.
With a strengthened coalition and expanding team, we’re laying the groundwork for even greater achievements in the coming year, all driven by the shared vision of a just, forest-protected Sarawak. Thanks for coming along on the journey.
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