Ecobiz.asia – Indonesia’s environment ministry signed Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with the Global Carbon Council (GCC) and the Plan Vivo Foundation on Tuesday (September 16, 2025), in a move aimed at boosting the country’s role in global carbon trading.
The agreements were signed by Ary Sudijanto, Deputy for Climate Change and Carbon Economic Value Governance at the Ministry of Environment (KLH), along with GCC Founding Chairman Yousef Alhorr and Plan Vivo CEO Keith Bohannon. Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq witnessed the signing.
The deals build on Indonesia’s earlier agreement with Gold Standard Foundation in May and follow the launch of international carbon trading on IDXCarbon in January.
“Indonesia is not only part of the solution, but also a leader in change,” Hanif said. “These MRAs open wider doors for Indonesian carbon projects to access international markets with integrity and transparency.”
Hanif added that carbon trading provides “double value” for the economy and the environment, with benefits extending to local communities safeguarding forests, coastlines and other ecosystems.
Under the agreements, Indonesia’s Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Certificates (SPEI) will be mutually recognized with credits certified under GCC and Plan Vivo.
GCC, based in Qatar, is known for technology-based emission reduction certification, while Plan Vivo focuses on community-driven, nature-based projects in forestry, agriculture and land use.
The MRAs will allow Indonesian credits to be traded on both voluntary and compliance markets under the Paris Agreement, with all transactions recorded in the national registry to safeguard carbon data sovereignty.
Indonesia has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 31.89% on its own and 43.20% with international support by 2030, and to reach net-zero emissions by 2060.
Wahyu Marjaka, Director of Carbon Economic Value Governance at KLH, said the government is committed to maintaining integrity in all collaborations.
“We will work with strategic partners and experts to ensure high integrity in carbon management, so that every step Indonesia takes is recognized globally and delivers real benefits,” he said. ***
