Ecobiz.asia – Indonesia’s negotiations with international carbon standard-setter Verra over a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) are facing hurdles as the two sides debate how the environment ministry should be treated under the deal, Deputy Environment Minister Diaz Hendropriyono said on Wednesday (August 27, 2025).
“We are still in discussions with Verra. Our target is to sign the MRA by November. One issue is how KLH (the Ministry of Environment) will be treated – we want to be recognised as a government, as a sovereign entity, not as a business-to-business actor or NGO,” Diaz told reporters after a preparatory meeting for Indonesia’s COP30 delegation.
Indonesia signed its first MRA with the Gold Standard Foundation in May, allowing Gold Standard-certified credits to be automatically recognised in Indonesia’s national registry without re-verification.
The government is also set to sign an MRA with Plan Vivo in September.
Diaz said Indonesia is exploring several international standards, including Verra, Gold Standard, Plan Vivo and the Global Carbon Council (GCC), to ensure wider recognition of its carbon credits.
“These MRAs are crucial to streamline registration, boost investor confidence and accelerate financing for forestry and climate projects,” he said. ***
