Although challenging, blue carbon management, including mangrove ecosystems, holds significant potential as part of the FOLU Net Sink 2030 strategy. This strategy aims to ensure that by 2030, carbon absorption by the forestry and land-use sector equals or exceeds its emissions.
Agus Justianto, Deputy Chair of the FOLU Net Sink 2030 Task Force, stated that blue carbon offers vast opportunities for supporting economic growth and climate action. However, various obstacles must be addressed, including data gaps, limited funding, regulatory challenges, and the need for stakeholder engagement.
“We need accurate data to map and monitor blue carbon ecosystems and to ensure comprehensive measurement of their carbon absorption potential,” Agus said during the National Dialogue on Mangrove and Blue Carbon Business Model for Climate Benefits and Empowering Communities in Jakarta on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
Agus also emphasized that blue carbon management requires significant initial investment. “Blue carbon credits are still relatively new, so high-risk perceptions pose challenges in attracting investors,” he noted.
On the regulatory front, Agus highlighted the need for a supportive legal framework, including recognizing tenure rights in coastal areas to prevent conflicts between conservation goals and local community needs.
He explained that the Indonesian government has prepared several funding schemes to support blue carbon business initiatives, such as carbon markets, public-private partnerships, green bonds, and international climate financing.
Agus noted that mangrove projects can generate carbon credits that can be traded in both domestic and international markets.
Furthermore, Agus emphasized the broad benefits of blue carbon management for Indonesia, including accelerating climate action, protecting coastal areas, creating new economic opportunities, empowering coastal communities, enhancing biodiversity, and strengthening Indonesia’s global leadership in nature-based solutions.
“As home to 23% of the world’s mangroves, Indonesia has a unique opportunity to become a global leader in blue carbon initiatives,” Agus concluded.
By addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities, blue carbon management in Indonesia is expected to significantly contribute to the FOLU Net Sink 2030 targets while supporting environmental and economic sustainability at the national level. *
