Indonesia and Japan are bolstering their collaboration on forest-based carbon projects to advance climate action and ecosystem restoration. This initiative, part of the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), was a focal point of discussions between Indonesia’s Deputy Forestry Minister Rohmat Marzuki and Japan’s Environment Deputy Minister Hiroshi Ono at the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye.
The partnership aims to create high-quality carbon credits under international climate agreements, with a strategic plan from Indonesia to restore 12 million hectares of degraded land and prevent deforestation across 50 million hectares. This plan also includes incorporating carbon projects into social forestry programs covering 8.3 million hectares and developing 1.4 million hectares of customary forests.
Both countries are considering the inclusion of peatlands and mangrove ecosystems in their carbon projects. Indonesia is looking to attract Japanese investment and ensure a steady supply of reliable carbon credits while promoting environmental protection and sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
Japan aims to use this partnership to help achieve its goal of securing carbon credits equivalent to 100 million tonnes of CO₂ by 2030. Meanwhile, Indonesia seeks to advance its ecosystem restoration objectives, highlighting the mutual benefits of this international cooperation in tackling climate change and supporting biodiversity.