Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – Indonesia and Norway have demonstrated a new model of international climate diplomacy built on equality, transparency, and measurable outcomes through their long-standing partnership on forest conservation and climate action. The collaboration, implemented under a Results-Based Payment (RBP) mechanism, rewards Indonesia only after independently verified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the forestry and land-use sector are achieved.
The partnership was highlighted during the launch and discussion of the book Diplomasi Bumi: Cerita di Balik Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030, hosted by Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry in Jakarta on Thursday. The event was opened by Ministry Secretary General Mahfudz and featured Ministerial Advisor for Climate Change Haruni Krisnawati, FOLU Norway Contribution Phase I Project Director Agus Justianto, and Indonesian Environment Fund (BPDLH) Director of Fundraising and Development Endah Tri Kurniawaty.
In his opening remarks, Mahfudz emphasized that environmental diplomacy has become an integral part of Indonesia’s national development strategy. He noted that the country’s success in reducing deforestation, strengthening forest governance, and advancing the Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 program has enhanced global confidence in Indonesia’s commitment to meeting its obligations under the Paris Agreement while delivering ecological and socio-economic benefits.
Haruni Krisnawati explained that the Indonesia–Norway partnership began with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) in Oslo in 2010, offering up to US$1 billion in performance-based support for verified emission reductions from the forestry sector. Following institutional challenges and differing approaches, both countries concluded the LoI in 2021 and established a renewed partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in September 2022, creating a more balanced and mutually respectful framework.
Under the new arrangement, Indonesia has received approximately US$216 million in results-based payments. The funding includes US$56 million for verified emission reductions during 2016–2017, US$100 million covering the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 periods, and US$60 million for achievements recorded in 2019–2020. Managed by BPDLH, the funds support forest protection, ecosystem restoration, forest and land fire prevention, social forestry, community empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods for forest-dependent communities.
Agus Justianto described Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 as one of the country’s most ambitious national climate strategies, aiming to ensure that the forestry and land-use sector absorbs more greenhouse gas emissions than it produces by 2030. The strategy focuses on reducing deforestation, restoring peatlands and mangroves, rehabilitating degraded forests, promoting sustainable forest management, conserving biodiversity, and increasing carbon stocks.
Meanwhile, Endah Tri Kurniawaty highlighted BPDLH’s role in ensuring that results-based payments are managed transparently and accountably while delivering tangible environmental and social benefits. She said the institution would continue supporting Indonesia’s climate commitments by financing programs that strengthen forest protection and community participation.
The speakers agreed that climate change cannot be addressed by individual countries acting alone. They stressed that long-term success depends on trust, policy consistency, transparency, and sustained international cooperation. Indonesia and Norway’s partnership, they noted, demonstrates that tropical forest conservation can advance alongside economic development and improved community welfare, offering a practical model for other tropical forest nations pursuing climate and sustainable development goals. (*)
