Indonesia Has Great Potential In Carbon Exports

Airlaya coal mine belonging to PT Bukit Asam Tbk in Muara Enim, South Sumatra is targeted to export carbon to Australia by 2023. (Between/Nova Wahyudi)

JAKARTA - National entrepreneur John Riady said that Indonesia has great potential to export carbon as a result of reducing emissions, especially regarding the achievement of a carbon emission reduction target of 29 percent with its own efforts by 2030.

According to him, currently Indonesia is still exporting coal, palm oil (CPO), and other commodities, but in the future it has an extraordinary opportunity in terms of carbon exports.

"We are a country with very rich carbon. We appreciate the government's efforts to encourage policies through low-carbon development that open up opportunities for the private sector. This is a very good opportunity," said the Lippo Group Executive Director in a written statement in Jakarta as reported by Antara, Sunday.

He said industry players would jointly reduce carbon emissions to deal with climate change.

John said that one of the government policies that shows partiality to low-carbon development is collecting a carbon tax for the coal-fueled PLTU sector business starting April 2022.

"Netral carbon is a necessity for industry players. Whether or not, we must be involved in this effort. The government has also set a carbon emission screening target as a policy that must be implemented by all parties," he said.

According to him, the global concept of carbon neutralness is an effort to maintain the balance of carbon emissions in every sector carried out through trading mechanisms, crediting and carbon taxes.

In addition, the emission gas generated from various human activities has had a negative impact on life on Earth, such as drought and reduced clean water sources, extreme weather, natural disasters, and changes in food chain production.

"Basically, carbon is produced in almost all human activities, especially the business world. Anyone is not protected from carbon production," John explained.