In 2019, he won the Sense About Science John Maddox award[3][4] for his work to prevent companies, particularly those of the palm oil industry, from using illegal methods of land clearance in Indonesia.

Saharjo has produced evidence for criminal trials against firms that have been accused of using illegal methods to clear peatland for crops such as palm oil.

He has been an expert witness in over 500 cases since 2000, for which he has faced harassment, intimidation, legal action and death threats.

[7][8] Saharjo has published over 50 papers to date and his work has been widely cited in academic literature on the topic.

[9] In November 2019, Saharjo was awarded the Sense About Science John Maddox prize for researchers who take personal risks in the course of their scientific work.