TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Environment Minister Moh Jumhur Hidayat is promoting mangrove restoration, noting that it is not only vital for environmental restoration, but also has the potential to drive green economic growth through international carbon trading mechanisms.
Speaking at the main event commemorating World Mangrove Day in Denpasar, Bali, on Sunday, Jumhur said the government is building a national mangrove restoration movement involving various ministries, regional governments, and local communities.
"Mangrove planting can be integrated with business activities through international carbon market mechanisms. Carbon-emitting activities can be offset through the carbon market, generating substantial funding," he said.
According to the minister, Indonesia has launched a mangrove restoration program simultaneously in 162 locations across 37 provinces, involving tens of thousands of participants.
Jumhur emphasized that mangroves can absorb four to five times more carbon than typical terrestrial vegetation.
Therefore, planting one hectare of mangroves is considered equivalent to planting around four hectares of terrestrial plants in absorbing carbon emissions.
He noted that this capability makes mangroves a crucial solution to offset rising carbon emissions from economic activities while supporting climate goals.
Moving forward, mangrove rehabilitation will not rely solely on state and regional budget allocations, but will also be supported through collaboration with businesses under international carbon market mechanisms.
This scheme, he continued, is expected to attract investment for large-scale mangrove planting while simultaneously providing economic benefits to residents involved in mangrove conservation.
He revealed that several major investors have expressed interest in financing the rehabilitation of hundreds of thousands of hectares of mangroves in Indonesia.
Beyond yielding returns for investors, the initiatives are projected to create green jobs, provide wages for residents during the maintenance process, and offer benefit-sharing schemes from carbon trading revenues.
The government is currently assessing the contribution of market-based environmental restoration efforts to national economic growth over the next one to two years, including the potential to create jobs for millions of workers.
The minister assessed that Indonesia has a strategic advantage driven by its vast marine waters, abundant mangrove ecosystems, and favorable geography, making the green economy a promising new economic driver.
He urged all parties to preserve and restore the mangrove ecosystem to safeguard benefits from Indonesia's natural wealth for the environment and improve community welfare.
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Why Rising Sea Levels Threaten Mangroves
47 hari lalu
Rather than helping to store carbon, the effects of prolonged sea level rise will surpass the tolerance limits of mangrove forests.
1,000 Mangroves Planted to Restore Yogyakarta Coast
56 hari lalu
The planting of 1,000 mangrove seedlings is part of the effort to restore the coastal ecosystem.
Bengkalis Mangroves in Riau Seen as Nature-Based Solution
19 Februari 2026
ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund (GTF) visited the mangrove area in Bengkalis Island, Riau, Indonesia.
Batam Fishermen Hit Hard by Illegal Coastal Filling
11 Desember 2025
Batam fishermen complain about illegal mangrove filling and coastal damage, causing a decline in income and severe environmental impact.
Indonesia, UAE Partner to Launch Global Mangrove Research Hub in Bali
26 September 2025
Indonesia and UAE have signed an agreement to establish the International Mangrove Research Center (IMRC) in Bali, supported through a UAE grant.
Indonesia's Marine Affairs Ministry Targets 70 Percent Reduction in Ocean Waste by 2029
7 Agustus 2025
Through this program, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries aims to reduce ocean waste by up to 40 percent by 2027 and 70 percent by 2029.
Fish Population Declining in Java Due to Ocean Pollution, Says KKP
1 Agustus 2025
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries stated that the fish population in Java Island is declining due to the abundance of trash damaging the marine ecosystem.
Serious Threats Facing Mangrove and Coastal Ecosystems on Pari Island, Indonesia
18 Juni 2025
An investigation is being launched into the damage to mangrove & coastal ecosystem in Pari Island, one of the islands in Thousand Islands, Indonesia.
Indonesian Govt Bans Timber Extraction in Mangrove Ecosystems
16 April 2025
The Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry no longer issues permits for timber extraction in mangrove ecosystems.
A Valuable Lesson from the Donggala Ponds
13 Maret 2025
The environmentally friendly shrimp aquaculture ponds in Donggala restore mangrove forests.
