nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in SE Asia and Oceania, the Australian Conservation Foundation’s recent findings suggest that the Australian government’s deforestation statistics omit essential information. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include the Tibetan Children’s Village’s decreasing population, Vietnam’s development of a security–focused agency, and an Indonesian superapp’s new strategy to lure back users.
Australia’s government published a 2023 report claiming that between 2016 and 2021, Australia’s total forest area increased by 0.75 hectares. However, an August 2025 report commissioned by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) suggests that the data released by the Australian government conceals the extent of deforestation going on in the country. The report highlights how the government releases statistics on net forest cover growth, notably excluding data showing that most forest growth occurs in drier regions with less vegetation, while richer, more developed forest areas continue to decrease. The two types of forest are not comparable carbon sinks. A 2023 paper found that relying on the net–change model underestimated carbon dioxide removal loss from deforestation by 54–59%. Biodiversity is also at greater risk from the deforestation of developed forests.
A representative for Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry responded to the ACF’s findings by suggesting that the government’s reports adhere to the standards set by the Montreal Process and show that the amount of forest in Australia is increasing.
Yet recent statistics from Queensland underscore the extent of the problem, showing an increase in woody vegetation clearing, with 86% of the activity attributed to pasture landcover replacement. Previous ACF investigations using satellite imagery found that between 2023 and 2024, Queensland saw 90,000 hectares of habitat destruction. Notably, 44% of the clearing was within the Great Barrier Reef catchment area. Beef production is the most significant driver of pasture land cover replacement in Queensland, although major beef buyers have promised to remove deforestation from their supply chains. Some beef producers in Queensland have argued that satellite imagery misrepresents their impact on deforestation, suggesting they mostly clear new forest rather than developed forest for their pastures. Yet the recent statistics found an 8% increase in the clearing of previously uncleared forest or areas that had developed enough to resemble previously uncleared forest.
Despite the ongoing deforestation, Australia has been making steady progress in reducing carbon emissions. An August 2025 report found that carbon emissions decreased by 1.4%, largely due to increased use of renewable energy. Transportation emissions have continued to increase since the pandemic, but Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard aims to lower them.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from across SE Asia and Oceania:
- The Dalai Lama–founded Tibetan Children’s Village’s population is rapidly decreasing, forcing the consolidation and reduction of classes.
- Vietnam’s government plans to combat cybersecurity threats and decrease reliance on other countries through a new security–focused state agency.
- Indonesia’s superapp GoTo Group had an 85% net loss this year, but the company hopes to lure users back to the app by implementing minigames.
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Australia obfuscating deforestation data, say critics
Photo by Graham Holtshausen on Unsplash
November 28, 2025
Diplomatic Courier’s Stephanie Gull brings you weekly under–the–radar stories from around the world. This week in SE Asia and Oceania: The Australian Conservation Foundation claims Australia’s government is deeply misrepresenting deforestation in the country.
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nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in SE Asia and Oceania, the Australian Conservation Foundation’s recent findings suggest that the Australian government’s deforestation statistics omit essential information. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include the Tibetan Children’s Village’s decreasing population, Vietnam’s development of a security–focused agency, and an Indonesian superapp’s new strategy to lure back users.
Australia’s government published a 2023 report claiming that between 2016 and 2021, Australia’s total forest area increased by 0.75 hectares. However, an August 2025 report commissioned by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) suggests that the data released by the Australian government conceals the extent of deforestation going on in the country. The report highlights how the government releases statistics on net forest cover growth, notably excluding data showing that most forest growth occurs in drier regions with less vegetation, while richer, more developed forest areas continue to decrease. The two types of forest are not comparable carbon sinks. A 2023 paper found that relying on the net–change model underestimated carbon dioxide removal loss from deforestation by 54–59%. Biodiversity is also at greater risk from the deforestation of developed forests.
A representative for Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry responded to the ACF’s findings by suggesting that the government’s reports adhere to the standards set by the Montreal Process and show that the amount of forest in Australia is increasing.
Yet recent statistics from Queensland underscore the extent of the problem, showing an increase in woody vegetation clearing, with 86% of the activity attributed to pasture landcover replacement. Previous ACF investigations using satellite imagery found that between 2023 and 2024, Queensland saw 90,000 hectares of habitat destruction. Notably, 44% of the clearing was within the Great Barrier Reef catchment area. Beef production is the most significant driver of pasture land cover replacement in Queensland, although major beef buyers have promised to remove deforestation from their supply chains. Some beef producers in Queensland have argued that satellite imagery misrepresents their impact on deforestation, suggesting they mostly clear new forest rather than developed forest for their pastures. Yet the recent statistics found an 8% increase in the clearing of previously uncleared forest or areas that had developed enough to resemble previously uncleared forest.
Despite the ongoing deforestation, Australia has been making steady progress in reducing carbon emissions. An August 2025 report found that carbon emissions decreased by 1.4%, largely due to increased use of renewable energy. Transportation emissions have continued to increase since the pandemic, but Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard aims to lower them.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from across SE Asia and Oceania:
- The Dalai Lama–founded Tibetan Children’s Village’s population is rapidly decreasing, forcing the consolidation and reduction of classes.
- Vietnam’s government plans to combat cybersecurity threats and decrease reliance on other countries through a new security–focused state agency.
- Indonesia’s superapp GoTo Group had an 85% net loss this year, but the company hopes to lure users back to the app by implementing minigames.
