Carbon Economy Opens Opportunities for Added Value from Forests and Mangroves

Indonesia stands to gain significant economic value from its natural assets, including forests, mangroves, and peatlands, by embracing the burgeoning carbon economy. This economic model prioritizes the preservation of natural resources and ecosystem services, shifting the focus from mere exploitation to valuing conservation efforts.

Heppy Trenggono, Founder and CEO of PT Visi Carbon Indonesia (VCarboN), highlighted this shift during a forum hosted by Universitas Brawijaya. "The world is beginning to pay not just for what we take from nature, but for what we successfully protect," Trenggono stated. He emphasized that Indonesia's vast natural wealth presents a significant opportunity, but realizing its economic potential hinges on integrating science, technology, entrepreneurship, and integrity.

The carbon economy, Trenggono explained, extends beyond environmental concerns. It encompasses carbon pricing, intensity-based trading, capital flows, regulations, and technology, all influencing the global economic structure. Indonesia's extensive forests, peatlands, and mangroves position it favorably, but realizing this potential requires robust support in scientific research, technological advancement, governance, and human capital development to ensure sustainable value addition.

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The world is beginning to pay not just for what we take from nature, but for what we successfully protect.

Developing a successful carbon economy necessitates cross-disciplinary collaboration. VCarboN's experience with mangrove and peatland carbon projects in South Sumatra illustrates this, involving expertise from forestry, hydrology, ecology, GIS, law, economics, finance, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, biodiversity, community empowerment, and MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification). Trenggono stressed that universities are strategically positioned to lead this future for Indonesia's carbon economy.

In light of this, Universitas Brawijaya and VCarboN are exploring a collaboration to advance carbon economy development, natural capital, climate technology, research, and human resource training. Rector Widodo of Universitas Brawijaya identified several key areas for potential partnership, including applied research, carbon data and MRV, remote sensing and AI, natural capital, biodiversity, and talent development, emphasizing the role of academics and students in research and learning.

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In the field, we found that the carbon economy cannot be built by a single discipline. One carbon project brings together so many expertise. Therefore, we see universities have a very strategic position in building the future of Indonesia's carbon economy.