Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Rector of Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ), Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, served as a speaker at the Journalist Workshop on Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030, held at the Ministry of Forestry Building, Jakarta, on Friday, May 16, 2025.
The workshop was designed to strengthen the role of journalists in supporting national climate action, particularly the Indonesia’s Forest and Other Land Use Net Sink (FOLU Net Sink) 2030 initiative. The event took place from May 16–17, 2025, in Jakarta and Bogor, supported by the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The workshop was officially opened by Mahfudz, Secretary General of the Ministry of Forestry, and featured speakers from diverse sectors, including the Indonesia FOLU Net Sink 2030 Working Group, business actors, civil society organizations, academics, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
FOLU Net Sink is one of Indonesia’s key strategies to achieve its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. The agenda aims for the forestry and other land use sector to absorb more carbon emissions than it produces by 2030, effectively becoming a net sink sector by that year.
During the forum, Prof. Venus highlighted the importance of communication effectiveness in the FOLU Net Sink movement, particularly at the cognitive, affective, and conative levels, which he believes require further research.
“Phenomenological experience shows that this concept is quite ‘present’ among the public (if explored), but it is still communicated using high-level (abstract) language,” he said.
He added, “The risks and benefits are not well perceived by non-public audiences. The issue appears with all its complexity, which is why sustainability communication is needed.”
According to him, sustainability communication plays a crucial role in supporting and promoting sustainable practices, especially when dealing with complex, long-term issues that must be conveyed to communities with varying levels of literacy.
He also emphasized the need for real action on the ground, particularly involving the general public—even in remote areas—through information delivery that must be easily understood by all segments of society.
Krisdianto, Head of Public Relations and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Forestry, stressed the importance of partnerships. He also underlined the need for continuous and effective communication so that the public and media can gain a comprehensive understanding of Indonesia’s contributions to global climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Aretha Aprilia, Head of the Nature, Climate, and Energy Unit at UNDP Indonesia, emphasized the importance of education and outreach in realizing inclusive climate action. “Journalists play a crucial role in driving climate action through meaningful storytelling—highlighting community-based initiatives, elevating local wisdom, and ensuring that the voices of vulnerable groups are included in the climate change narrative,” she said. *
