Ecobiz.asia — Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) to strengthen the development of a high-integrity voluntary carbon market in the country.
The agreement was formalized during the High-Level Breakfast Roundtable at the Sustainable Business COP30 (SBCOP) in São Paulo, Brazil, on Saturday (Nov. 8, 2025). The event brought together international carbon market leaders, global financial institutions, and Indonesian government representatives to discuss strategies for positioning Indonesia as a leading hub for credible carbon trading.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the partnership marks an important step in building a science-based, transparent, and trustworthy carbon market ecosystem in Indonesia.
“This collaboration reflects Indonesia’s determination to ensure its carbon market is built on trust, integrity, and national sovereignty,” Raja Antoni said.
He added that Indonesia’s tropical rainforests play a vital role as the world transitions toward a fair and sustainable carbon economy. “By aligning with global integrity standards, Indonesia is laying the foundation for a carbon market ecosystem that delivers tangible benefits to local communities and Indigenous Peoples,” he said.
Under the MoU, ICVCM will provide technical support to the ministry, including capacity building for government officials and project developers, assistance in strengthening monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems, and public awareness on the importance of high-integrity voluntary carbon markets.
Both sides also agreed to establish collaborative forums to enhance Indonesia’s readiness in developing a credible and nationally relevant carbon market framework.
ICVCM CEO Amy Merrill said Indonesia had taken a positive step toward building a strong and transparent carbon market. “We are pleased to support Indonesia in aligning its forestry carbon credits with the high-integrity Core Carbon Principles. This collaboration will help ensure that forestry carbon projects in Indonesia deliver real, verified climate impacts and contribute to the country’s sustainable development goals,” she said.
ICVCM Director of Public Affairs Lorna Ritchie said the cooperation with the Forestry Ministry would help build globally connected carbon markets that remain relevant at the local level. “It’s essential that we maintain consistent international integrity standards while ensuring that carbon markets deliver real benefits to communities on the ground,” she said. ***
