Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Ministry of Environment has highlighted the economic potential of peat restoration and mangrove rehabilitation efforts, which can be a focus of sustainable investment for businesses.

Sigit Reliantoro, the ministry’s Deputy for Environmental Management and Sustainable Natural Resources, said the government has been restoring peatlands across 4.1 million hectares.

This effort has the potential to reduce emissions by approximately 302.9 million tons of CO₂ per year, he added.

“It opens up opportunities for carbon trading worth Rp48 trillion to Rp184 trillion (nearly US$11.3 billion) per year,” he stated at the ESG Sustainable Forum 2025 in Jakarta on Friday.

He urged companies to consider peat restoration as part of their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies.

Reliantoro also expressed hope for greater business participation in mangrove rehabilitation, which is estimated to require funding of US$3,900 per hectare.

The value of the mangrove ecosystem could increase by around US$15,000 per hectare per year and even US$50,000 per hectare if combined with silvofishery—a fish culture system that helps maintain the mangrove ecosystem.

Coastal restoration is also estimated to generate US$6,760 per hectare from fisheries sector yields and carbon storage.

With around 3 million hectares of mangroves of various types, Indonesia is well-positioned for carbon offsets and trading, Reliantoro pointed out.

Peat restoration and mangrove rehabilitation align with the country’s vision of sustainable development, supporting both green and blue economies.

Indonesia officially joined the global carbon trading network by launching its first international carbon trade transactions at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) in Jakarta on January 20.

The initiative aims to help Indonesia achieve its climate targets, as outlined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) document.

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Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Anton Santoso
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