OJK: Carbon trading opens green investment opportunities for Indonesia

The Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners of the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Friderica Widyasari Dewi, has assessed that the implementation of forestry carbon trading policy opens up green investment opportunities for Indonesia. “This is a manifestation of the swift work by the Minister of Forestry (Raja Juli Antoni) and his staff in responding to challenges in the forestry sector, particularly through opening global investment opportunities via the voluntary carbon market,” Friderica said in a joint statement with the Ministry of Forestry in Jakarta on Monday. According to her, the opening of the voluntary carbon market is an opportunity for Indonesia to attract sustainable investment while increasing the competitiveness of the forestry sector at the global level. Therefore, she continued, the OJK supports strengthening the green financing ecosystem so that carbon trading can develop credibly, transparently, and with integrity. Previously, the Ministry of Forestry approved the issuance of carbon units through the Non-Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Certificate (Non SPE-GRK) scheme. Friderica stated that the launch of forestry carbon trading was also a historic moment demonstrating that various strategic agendas can be realised through cross-sector collaboration. She also appreciated the Ministry of Forestry for moving quickly to answer the challenges of green economy development through the forestry sector. “I am very happy and delighted to be part of this historic moment. This is proof that in this country, nothing is impossible as long as all institutions are willing to synergise and collaborate, of course with strong leadership from President Prabowo Subianto and also from the minister and all parties,” said Friderica. The launch of forestry carbon trading through the Non SPE-GRK scheme also marks the beginning of the implementation of carbon trading for projects that are ready to be traded. “The synergy between the Ministry of Forestry, OJK, related ministries and institutions, and business actors is considered an important foundation in building Indonesia’s carbon market, which is capable of attracting global investor interest while providing economic benefits to the community and maintaining the sustainability of Indonesia’s forests,” she said.