RI Launches Blue Carbon Roadmap At COP30, Affirms Coastal Economic Potential

Minister of Environment/Head of BPLH Hanif Faisol Nurofiq together with Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu trenggono gave a statement to reporters. (Photo: Doc. KLH)

JAKARTA - Indonesia is taking advantage of the momentum of the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) to strengthen its position as the center of the world's blue carbon economy.

The government has officially launched the Blue Carbon Action Roadmap and Guidelines, strategic documents that integrate the potential of mangrove coastal ecosystems, seagrass and salted swamps into climate policies and national carbon economic value schemes.

This launch is an important step for Indonesia as the largest archipelagic country, which has one of the largest blue carbon stocks in the world and has the potential to become a new source of climate funding for the national economy.

The Minister of Environment/Head of BPLH, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, emphasized that the roadmap was designed to strengthen the position of blue carbon in the domestic carbon market.

The launch of this document shows Indonesia's leadership in connecting land and sea actions. We want to ensure that the contribution of blue carbon can be integrated in its carbon economic value system and the national carbon market," said Hanif in a written statement received by VOI, Wednesday, November 19.

The mangrove and seagrass ecosystems are known to have higher carbon absorption power than mainland forests, thus potentially becoming a high-value mitigation instrument as well as a carbon credit source.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, assessed that the blue carbon roadmap will open up investment opportunities in coastal sectors, including sustainable fisheries, ecotourism, and the development of ecosystem restoration-based micro-enterprises.

The blue carbon ecosystem is a very valuable climate asset for Indonesia. This roadmap is an action framework that connects science, policy and funding," Trenggono said.

In addition to climate mitigation, strengthening coastal ecosystems is considered to increase food security, strengthen coastal area protection from abrasion, and provide new sources of income for fishing communities.

The preparation of roadmaps is carried out through the cooperation of three ministries, namely, KLH/BPLH, KKP, and the Ministry of Forestry with the technical support of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) as well as funding from the Canadian Government.

Kolaborasi ini diharapkan mempercepat standardisasi implementasi karbon biru dan membuka akses pembiayaan iklim internasional.

Peluncuran dokumen ini menegaskan ambisi Indonesia untuk menjadi pemain utama di pasar karbon global.

Dengan kekayaan ekosistem biru yang luas, pemerintah optimistis sektor pesisir dapat menjadi motor baru ekonomi hijau sekaligus meningkatkan kesejahteraan masyarakat pesisir.

This collaboration is expected to accelerate the standardization of the implementation of blue carbon and open access to international climate financing.

The launch of this document confirms Indonesia's ambition to become a major player in the global carbon market.

With the wealth of a large blue ecosystem, the government is optimistic that the coastal sector can become a new motor for a green economy while improving the welfare of coastal communities.