Climateworks Centre strengthens Indonesia’s readiness to develop a blue carbon economy
Building local expertise in blue carbon
Climateworks Centre and IPB University’s Centre for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies recently delivered a four-day blue carbon capacity-building workshop.
There were more than 120 participants from government ministries and agencies, local governments and academia, joining both in person and online.
This was the final instalment in a three-part training series with Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.
The session focused on preparing stakeholders to develop blue carbon projects, and is part of Climateworks Centre’s Southeast Asia Framework for Ocean Action in Mitigation (SEAFOAM) program. It built on previous sessions on greenhouse gas reporting and the validation and verification of carbon projects.
‘Indonesia is not short of ecological potential,’ Etwin Sabarini, Deputy Country Lead, Climateworks Centre Indonesia, said.
‘Our biggest challenge is turning that potential into practical action that is viable for financing and delivers fair outcomes. This training helps participants take that step from data and planning to business models and blue carbon projects that are ready to be developed.’
The aim of the training is also to strengthen participants’ capacity to design pipeline-ready blue carbon projects.
Etwin said, ‘With realistic project designs, we can demonstrate that Indonesia has credible, high-integrity blue carbon projects that bring opportunities to attract investment and support.’
Indonesia strengthens its blue carbon policies
The Indonesian Government is strengthening the policy framework that supports blue carbon development, rather than simply treating it as a carbon-trading asset.
Blue carbon management can protect coastal ecosystems, support economic activities and deliver fair benefits to coastal communities, said Miftahul Huda, Secretary of the Directorate-General of Marine Spatial Management.
One significant policy revision is the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries’ Regulation on the implementation of the Economic Value of Carbon in the marine sector. This will clarify the planning and permitting processes for blue carbon projects and carbon trading mechanisms. It will also address environmental safeguards and benefit-sharing arrangements for communities.
The ministry has also established guidelines and priority locations for blue carbon management. It is currently developing a roadmap for carbon trading in the marine sector and identifying blue carbon projects in priority locations, including the Pantura Blue Carbon Project.
Knowledge worth sharing
Many workshop participants were keen to put their new knowledge into action in their organisations.
Rohani Ambo Rappe, a lecturer at Hasanuddin University, already teaches students about mangrove and seagrass rehabilitation. She said, ‘We have learned that these resources can be measured and registered, allowing them to have greater impact.’
Benovita Dwi Saraswati, Head of the Marine, Coastal and Small Islands Spatial Planning Working Group at the Central Java Provincial Marine and Fisheries Agency, said, ‘There is already an investor interested in developing a carbon project in Central Java, but we have not yet felt confident enough to explore it.
‘This blue carbon training has given us the foundation to engage with investors and ensure projects do not disadvantage local communities.’
Turning blue carbon potential into action
By providing local leaders, policymakers and researchers with expertise and practical insights, Climateworks Centre is helping turn Indonesia’s blue carbon potential into real-world action.
Supported by clear frameworks like a credible blue finance taxonomy, ongoing collaboration and training will drive lasting environmental and economic impact across the region.
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