Alternative futures for Borneo show the value of integrating economic and conservation targets across borders

Rebecca K. Runting, Erik Meijaard, Nicola K. Abram, Jessie A. Wells, David L.A. Gaveau, Marc Ancrenaz, Hugh P. Possingham, Serge A. Wich, Fitrian Ardiansyah, Melvin T. Gumal, Laurentius N. Ambu, Kerrie A. Wilson

Balancing economic development with international commitments to protect biodiversity is a global challenge. Achieving this balance requires an understanding of the possible consequences of alternative future scenarios for a range of stakeholders. We employ an integrated economic and environmental planning approach to evaluate four alternative futures for the mega-diverse island of Borneo. We show what could be achieved if the three national jurisdictions of Borneo coordinate efforts to achieve their public policy targets and allow a partial reallocation of planned land uses. We reveal the potential for Borneo to simultaneously retain ∼50% of its land as forests, protect adequate habitat for the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) and Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis), and achieve an opportunity cost saving of over US$43 billion. Such coordination would depend on enhanced information sharing and reforms to land-use planning, which could be supported by the increasingly international nature of economies and conservation efforts.