Environment Minister Reveals Carbon Trading Potential at Bantargebang Landfill

Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat has revealed the substantial revenue potential from carbon trading at the Bantargebang Integrated Waste Treatment Plant (TPST) in Bekasi, West Java. He estimated the economic value could reach hundreds of billions of rupiah. Speaking at the launch of the book ‘Marhaenisme: Dalil Baru untuk Gen Z’ at Taman Ismail Marzuki in Central Jakarta on Saturday, Jumhur said carbon trading represents a major opportunity for Indonesia due to its vast forests and role as a supplier of oxygen to the world. “All of a sudden we can have thousands of trillions of rupiah because we are a supplier of oxygen to the world. So forests are parcelled, offset, and there is money in that,” he said. He then cited the potential at the Bantargebang TPST. According to him, if methane emissions at the site can be suppressed, an economic value will emerge that can be traded under carbon schemes. “At Bantargebang, if you can eliminate methane gas, which is 32 times more harmful than CO2, once it is removed, for example by covering it with biocover, it goes straight to zero, that could be worth hundreds of billions,” he stated. Jumhur said the proceeds from carbon trading should not be enjoyed solely by certain groups. He expressed hope that the economic benefits would also be felt by the surrounding communities. “I want this money not to be utilised only by the elite, but so that the Marhaen people there can also share in the happiness,” he said. Jumhur added that the Ministry of Environment is preparing regulations to ensure that carbon trading is not only oriented towards climate change mitigation and adaptation, but also promotes prosperity.