Indonesia Moves Towards Sustainable Nature-Based Conservation Financing

Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni stated that Indonesia is moving towards inclusive and sustainable nature-based conservation financing. In a statement received in Jakarta on Friday, the minister emphasised that Indonesia is building a new approach to conservation management that no longer depends entirely on public financing, but instead opens space for credible, high-integrity investment that delivers real benefits for communities, nature, and the climate. “Indonesia is not merely drafting a financing strategy. We are building a new paradigm for conservation governance, where national parks achieve financial independence, communities become key partners, the private sector plays a meaningful role, and the state provides a robust regulatory framework to ensure all mechanisms operate accountably and sustainably,” said Raja Juli Antoni. As part of President Prabowo Subianto’s directive, Indonesia has formed an Innovative Financing Task Force for the Management of National Parks and Iconic Species Conservation. The task force targets at least 13 national parks and two iconic species conservation landscapes to reach a level of financing independence by 2030. To achieve this target, Indonesia is implementing a dual strategy through regulatory reform and institutional strengthening, while simultaneously driving investment mobilisation through the development of innovative financial instruments and strategic partnerships with various parties. Furthermore, Indonesia is introducing the concept of “Natural Ecosystems as a New Asset Class”, an approach that views natural ecosystems as strategic assets capable of generating sustainable economic benefits while maintaining their ecological functions. Various instruments currently being developed include carbon credits, biodiversity credits, species conservation bonds, ecotourism, bioprospecting, non-timber forest product utilisation, and various public-private partnership schemes. Raja Juli Antoni said this approach is expected to open new investment opportunities that support conservation while improving the welfare of communities surrounding conservation areas. As a primary pilot project, Indonesia introduced the Peusangan Elephant Conservation Initiative in Aceh.