One month after Indonesia opened its carbon market for international trading, a total of 1.78 million carbon credit units had been authorized. However, the number of traded units remained quite low, 49.545 tons of CO2 equivalent per 24th of February. Meanwhile, since the launch of CarbonIDX, the total of traded units (nationally and internationally) reached 1.55 million from a supply of 2.24 million units [1].

According to Inarno Djajadi, the Executive Supervisory Chief of the Capital Market, Derivative Financial, and Carbon Trading of the Financial Services Authority (OJK), all of the current projects registered in CarbonIDX are technology-based solutions from the energy sector. There are seven projects, one from PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy and the others from PLN Group. He emphasized that Indonesia has a big potential to be a leading carbon market in Southeast Asia even globally, supported by plentiful resources and developing regulation [1]. However, there are still untapped opportunities that could boost Indonesia’s carbon credit sales.

Indonesia’s Vice Ministry of Environment Diaz Hendropriyono expressed that the carbon market performance is not optimal yet. In his opinion, there’s a possibility that the market demand favors carbon credits from nature-based solutions (NBS) due to better pricing. Thus, we have to provide credit supplies from NBS projects, particularly from peatlands [2]. This is supported by Eddy Soeparno, Vice Chairman of MPR RI, who stated that forest conservation and increasing the volume of carbon trade are among the strategies to achieve 8% economic growth without sacrificing the environment [3]. The country holds an abundant potential of NBS. According to McKinsey, Indonesia’s NBS has the largest global potential, reaching 1.5 gigatons of CO2 per year [4].

Besides that, recognition from certification bodies are important to increase attractiveness in the international market. It is possible to establish a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with other countries, so both parties will mutually recognize each other’s carbon credit registry, MRV standards, and emission reduction certificates. Previously at COP29, Indonesia has signed an MRA with the Japanese Government [3].

🌱 For international buyers interested to purchase Indonesia’s carbon credits, credits are available for sale on CarbonIDX platform. You can reach out to Fairatmos’ experts by filling in the form in our Home Page to learn more.

🌳 For project developers inspired to start your own NBS project, visit our AtmosCheck page to get collaborate with us!

References:

[1] Timorria, I. F. (2025). Sebulan Meluncur, Volume Perdagangan Karbon Internasional 49.545 ton. Bisnis. https://hijau.bisnis.com/read/20250226/653/1842963/sebulan-meluncur-volume-perdagangan-karbon-internasional-49545-ton

[2] Issetiabudi, D. E. (2025). Pemerintah Dorong Pasokan Karbon dari Alam. Bisnis. https://hijau.bisnis.com/read/20250220/651/1841390/pemerintah-dorong-pasokan-karbon-dari-alam

[3] Putri, I. (2025). Temui Menteri LH, Eddy Soeparno Bahas Perdagangan Karbon-Optimalisasi CCS. Detiknews. https://news.detik.com/berita/d-7812879/temui-menteri-lh-eddy-soeparno-bahas-perdagangan-karbon-optimalisasi-ccs

[4] Agarwal, V., Balasubramanian, A., Discha, F., & Tee Tan, K. (2024, April 22). Indonesia’s Green Powerhouse promise: Ten Bold Moves. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/id/our-insights/indonesias-green-powerhouse-promise-ten-big-bets-that-could-pay-off