Forestry Minister Launches Four Carbon Trading Projects, Vows 'No Empty Talk'
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has officially launched a ministerial approval for the issuance of carbon units through a Non-Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Certificate (Non SPE-GRK) scheme. This move signals the start of a more concrete implementation of forestry carbon trading through projects ready for the global market.
Speaking at the Ministry of Forestry office in Jakarta on Monday (6/7/2026), Minister Raja Antoni stressed the need for real action in the sector. He expressed hope that the ready projects would be registered immediately to avoid remaining mere discourse. ‘Those that are ready will be registered and traded so it is not just empty talk, so we can immediately have something concrete to trade,’ Raja Antoni stated.
The launch was attended by several prominent figures, including Presidential Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Commission I Budi Djiwandono, Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly Eddy Soeparno, and Chair of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) Board of Commissioners Friderica Widyasari Dewi, along with ambassadors and several governors.
Minister Raja Antoni attributed the acceleration to the strong leadership and full support of President Prabowo Subianto for green economic development. He noted that ideas previously difficult to realise have now come to fruition, estimating that Indonesia’s carbon trading value could reach around Rp5 trillion if managed correctly, accountably, and transparently, with the public interest in mind.
‘All of this is happening because of the very strong leadership of President Prabowo Subianto. What was once a fantasy has now become concrete, what was once a possibility has now become a reality,’ he said.
The Ministry of Forestry simultaneously introduced four carbon projects ready for implementation, comprising three projects in areas held by Forest Utilisation Business Permit holders and one Social Forestry project. Raja Antoni explained that the expansion of carbon trading now includes conservation areas such as Way Kambas and social forestry zones, not just concession areas. This policy demonstrates the government’s intention to ensure the benefits of carbon trading are felt more widely.
‘As the President says, as long as the orientation is for the welfare of the people, we execute it. Therefore, today we are launching three PBPH projects and one social forestry project as a symbol of our support not only for the big players but also for the small ones,’ he said. He added that integrity-based carbon trading can only be achieved by involving various stakeholders.
In his closing remarks, the Minister emphasised that integrity is the key to carbon trading. The government is maintaining communication with dozens of global companies eyeing Indonesia as a world carbon trading hub. To support this, the Ministry of Forestry is preparing a strict monitoring system to ensure that carbon units from Indonesian forests meet high integrity standards and are internationally recognised through multi-stakeholder collaboration.