Ecobiz.asia – Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has reaffirmed that the management of national blue carbon ecosystems will be implemented under high-integrity principles to safeguard Indonesia’s credibility in carbon market development while ensuring balanced climate, social and economic benefits.
Director General of Marine Spatial Management at the ministry Koswara said a high-integrity approach is a key prerequisite for blue carbon to make a meaningful contribution to Indonesia’s climate targets and market confidence.
“Blue carbon development must be science-based, supported by strong governance, credible measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) systems, as well as social and environmental safeguards. Without these elements, the credibility of the national programme will be questioned,” Koswara on Thursday (Feb. 19, 2026).
The remarks followed the Workshop on High-Integrity Blue Carbon held in Jakarta, organised by the ministry as part of efforts to strengthen Indonesia’s readiness to design and manage transparent and sustainable blue carbon initiatives under the Carbon Economic Value (NEK) framework.
The forum brought together senior officials and technical staff from across KKP units, representatives from related ministries and agencies, development partners, and international organisations working on climate, coastal ecosystems and carbon markets. Discussions focused on aligning technical understanding, policy direction and implementation readiness for blue carbon in Indonesia.
According to Koswara, strengthening blue carbon governance is also critical to supporting Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). As one of the countries with the world’s largest mangrove and seagrass ecosystems, Indonesia holds a strategic position in coastal-based climate mitigation.
“Blue carbon ecosystems not only absorb emissions but also enhance coastal resilience, protect biodiversity and support the economic sustainability of coastal communities,” he said.
To reinforce governance, the ministry is pushing for stronger internal coordination through the establishment of an Integrated Blue Carbon Management Team involving multiple directorates-general. The team will focus on standardising methodologies, strengthening MRV systems, developing baselines and targets, and integrating carbon reporting for the marine and fisheries sector.
Director of Ecosystem Conservation at the ministry Firdaus Agung said blue carbon should not be treated solely as an economic instrument. Its development, he said, must remain science-based and deliver tangible benefits for ecosystems and coastal communities, in line with Indonesia’s Low Carbon Development and Climate Resilience agenda under the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).
The workshop also discussed safeguards and due diligence for blue carbon projects. Representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative highlighted the importance of social protection, governance transparency and risk prevention in blue carbon project development.
Meanwhile, GRID-Arendal expert Steven Lutz underlined the need for data integrity, clear governance arrangements and alignment with international standards to maintain the competitiveness of Indonesian blue carbon credits in global markets.
Global case studies were also presented, with the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute sharing experience from seagrass-based blue carbon projects, while the Japan Blue Economy Association outlined Japan’s approach to developing a national blue carbon market, including pricing mechanisms and the use of IPCC guidelines.
The workshop was organised by KKP in collaboration with GRID-Arendal and Yayasan Rekam Nusantara, with support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation through the Oceans for Development programme. ***
