Following MRA Signing, CarbonEthics Drives Conversation on High-Integrity Carbon Credits in Indonesia

Photo 1. Bimo Soewadji, the CEO of CarbonEthics.

As Indonesia steps up to strengthen its role in the global carbon market following the recent signing of a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the global certification standard the Gold Standard Foundation, CarbonEthics, an Indonesian nature-based carbon project developer, emphasizes that the market will only work if we focus on high-integrity carbon projects. 

Transparency in project management becomes very crucial. Every project must demonstrate measurable impact and reduce or remove emissions in a verifiable manner. Most importantly, projects must deliver real benefits to the people who protect and depend on ecosystems, because without community participation and ownership, there can be no lasting climate solution.

This topic was addressed during Carbon Talk 2.0, a cross-sectoral forum hosted by CarbonEthics, where government officials, business leaders, and sustainability experts gathered to discuss Indonesia’s evolving carbon market landscape and its strategic positioning within the global carbon market.

Indonesia’s carbon market could generate as much as USD 34 billion in revenue and create 1.7 million jobs by 2030, primarily through nature-based projects that meet high standards for environmental and social integrity, as explained by Dr. Belladonna Maulianda, Senior Special Assistant to Eddy Soeparno, Deputy Chairman of The People's Consultative Assembly. 

“To realize this potential, Indonesia needs to build a strong carbon ecosystem supported by the right policies and investments,” said Belladonna.

The MRA is a landmark step to facilitate mutual acceptance of carbon credits, opening Indonesia to new global trading opportunities. For emerging markets like Indonesia, MRA expands the carbon market and liquidity, enhances climate cooperation, and enables technology and knowledge transfer, as explained by Ilham ST., MT., Director of Forest Utilization Business Development at the Ministry of Forestry. 

Photo 2. Dr. Wahyu Marjaka presenting at Carbon Talk 2.0.

Furthermore, according to Ilham, S.T., M.T., Indonesia's national long-term development plan (RPJPN) envisions achieving the 2045 Golden Indonesia target, one of which is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity to 93.5% compared to baseline levels. 

Additionally, Dr. Wahyu Marjaka, M.Eng., Director of Governance for Carbon Economic Value Implementation at the Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency, emphasized that Indonesia’s ability to tap into carbon market opportunities hinges on three key enablers: institutional readiness, clear and enforceable legal frameworks, and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

Carbon Talk’s forum also addressed ongoing efforts to revise Presidential Regulation No. 98/2021, which has currently reached the stage of preliminary approval. This regulation will later cover aspects related to the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM). Separately, the development of the SRN Robust platform is ongoing as a government effort to ensure that all issued carbon credits can be verified and meet high-integrity standards, which is a key requirement to attract international investors. 

“The global carbon market increasingly demands projects that demonstrate measurable climate benefits and social co-benefits,” said Bimo Soewadji, CEO of CarbonEthics. “Indonesia’s success depends on delivering carbon credits that are not only high quality but also fully transparent and credible.”

Photo 3. Speakers and participants of Carbon Talk 2.0.

CarbonEthics recognizes that maintaining trust in the carbon market hinges on credible standards and transparent verification, and is committed to community-driven, science-based nature solutions that benefit climate, biodiversity, and local communities.

Sustainable change cannot occur without the full and fair involvement of local communities. CarbonEthics works closely with local communities to responsibly restore ecosystems while empowering communities through collaboration in creating restoration strategies, providing regular training, and investing in capacity-building programs that empower communities to manage their ecosystem regeneratively and independently. 

Building on these foundations, CarbonEthics contributes to the development of a high-integrity carbon market by offering end-to-end services for carbon project development and investment, always ensuring that community empowerment and participation remain central to every step of the process.

Through its Carbon Project Consultancy, CarbonEthics delivers technical assistance across the full project lifecycle—from early-stage feasibility studies, development of Detailed Risk Assessment and Management (DRAM), to project implementation. CarbonEthics also offers pre-issued carbon credits for carbon buyers seeking early access to high-quality nature-based carbon credits and investment opportunities for early-stage project investors. 

Looking forward, the government is positioning Indonesia as a key player in the global carbon market. As regulatory frameworks and supporting systems evolve, the country is striving to generate high-integrity carbon credits that are trustworthy, globally competitive, and aligned with international standards, ensuring a meaningful contribution to reducing global emissions. Throughout it all, CarbonEthics remains dedicated to supporting a high-integrity, credible, and globally recognized carbon market that supports sustainable development and climate resilience.