Ecobiz.asia — Indonesia and the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday, (Nov. 17,2025) to strengthen cooperation on environmental management and circular economy initiatives on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.
The agreement, signed by Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Environmental Protection Agency (KLH/BPLH) and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), covers biodiversity conservation, environmental law enforcement, air and water quality improvement, hazardous waste management, plastic pollution reduction, and the acceleration of circular economy policies.
Programs under the MoU will be implemented through technical exchanges, joint projects, training, collaborative research, and the establishment of a Joint Steering Committee.
“This MoU marks the start of a practical and equal partnership between Indonesia and the UK to strengthen environmental governance, accelerate plastic and waste management solutions, and expand access to innovative financing for ecosystem protection,” said Indonesian Minister of Environment and Head of BPLH Hanif Faisol Nurofiq.
Indonesia welcomed the UK’s funding commitments and technical support. On plastic pollution, KLH/BPLH stressed the need to strengthen Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanisms.
DEFRA expressed support for encouraging UK-based companies to improve packaging management in Indonesia through policy transfer, technology cooperation and international buyer–seller facilitation.
Both governments will explore pilot EPR schemes, capacity-building programs for local authorities, and cooperation with global brands to improve packaging transparency and product claims.
“We are inspired by Indonesia’s efforts to protect its tropical ecosystems. Together we will tackle plastic pollution and open new financing channels for nature and carbon markets. We look forward to welcoming the Minister and his team to the UK next year,” said DEFRA Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Nature Mary Creagh.
KLH/BPLH and DEFRA will next prepare an operational annex outlining 12–18 month priority programs, project financing mechanisms and terms of reference for the Joint Steering Committee.
Initial priorities include EPR pilot programs for packaging, a provincial circular economy initiative, carbon finance feasibility studies — including FCPF in priority locations — and a demonstration project for methane capture from palm oil mill effluent (POME). ***
