Seagrass Ecosystems Play Strategic Role in Reducing Emissions

Indonesia’s seagrass ecosystems are estimated to be capable of storing between 0.26 and 0.55 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Gt CO2e). This figure demonstrates the substantial potential of blue carbon in supporting climate change mitigation and achieving Indonesia’s national emission reduction targets.

BRIN researcher Yusmiana Rahayu explained that the estimate was calculated based on Indonesia’s seagrass meadows covering between 875,967 and 1,847,341 hectares as of 2018. “I combined the total figures after correlating them with the area coverage, resulting in 0.26 to 0.55 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent,” she stated during an online discussion on Monday, 2 March 2026.

The calculation represents the combined carbon storage capacity in biomass and sediments within seagrass ecosystems.

For comparison, Indonesia’s total greenhouse gas emissions were recorded at 1.84 Gt CO2e in 2019 according to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry report. Consequently, the carbon storage potential of seagrass meadows represents a crucial component in the emission mitigation strategy.

Yusmiana added that the figure remains subject to change as data is updated. The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries released the 2025 National Coral and Seagrass Map in late 2024, which recorded seagrass meadows covering 660,000 hectares and hard coral covering 838,000 hectares nationwide.

According to her, the role of blue carbon has become increasingly relevant in supporting emission reduction targets outlined in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) document. The marine and fisheries sector has now been incorporated into the economic value scheme for carbon.

“This means we need more readily available data, as there is still much information, particularly concerning seagrass ecosystems, that is required for more detailed inventory calculations,” she said.