"With a national target of around 12.7 million hectares, this scheme not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also creates economic opportunities for communities through carbon incentives," he said at a working meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday.
He said remaining natural forests in social forestry areas help protect existing carbon stocks, while agroforestry and land rehabilitation can increase long-term carbon absorption.
"This approach is relatively low-cost as it utilizes existing ecosystems and local participation," he added.
Beyond social forestry, carbon trading opportunities are also available in conservation areas through ecosystem restoration.
Open land in conservation areas covering around 1.27 million hectares has the potential to absorb between 4.5 and 50 tons of CO₂ equivalent per hectare per year, particularly during the early recovery phase.
Over a 40-year period, each hectare could absorb up to 600 to more than 1,000 tons of CO₂ equivalent, he said.
"This confirms that conservation areas have significant potential for carbon trading through ecosystem restoration," Raja Juli noted.
He added that the scheme also opens opportunities to address conservation funding gaps by involving the private sector.
"Through carbon-related business licensing in conservation areas and hunting parks, we are not only preserving nature but also creating sustainable economic value," he said.
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Translator: Arnidhya Nur Zhafira, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Anton Santoso
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