Environment Ministry Promotes Biodiversity Credits to Boost Local Welfare

Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency, Jumhur Hidayat, has affirmed that environmental management under his purview will deliver justice for both the environment and the people, including indigenous and local communities. He stated that efforts to tackle climate change, including the energy transition through carbon trading and the upcoming implementation of biodiversity credits, are guaranteed to provide benefits, involve, and bring prosperity to local residents.

One of the key programmes being pushed by Minister Jumhur is the ‘National Ecological Repentance’ (Tobat Ekologi Nasional), an effort to drive environmental restoration through a series of activities. These include planting two billion trees, planting mangroves, cleaning rivers, and processing waste. The ministry is calling on the public, business actors, and even oligarchs to jointly promote this ‘Ecological Repentance’ to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create ‘green job’ employment opportunities.

Furthermore, the ministry is pushing for the success of the ‘Indonesia Safe, Healthy, Clean, and Beautiful’ (ASRI) Movement, which was launched by President Prabowo to address the waste crisis and promote sustainable development.