Heaptalk, Jakarta — In recent years, the issue of carbon emission and climate change mitigation has expanded to include fascinating aspects, including blue carbon.
Blue carbon refers to the carbon stored within coastal and marine ecosystems, predominantly in mangroves and seagrasses. This natural resource has obtained significant concern due to its immense potential for mitigating climate change and fostering coastal resilience.
Moreover, seagrasses are claimed can offer economic value as coastal commodities. On the other hand, coastal areas also serve as critical habitats for marine biodiversity, including fish nurseries and food sources for other sea species.
In Indonesia, the country’s contribution of blue carbon cannot be ignored. Posses approximately 17% of the world’s mangroves and seagrasses, the archipelago boasts a substantial blue carbon potential. However, according to Bimo Soewadji, CEO of CarbonEthics, the country’s blue carbon projects still needs to be improved.
The existence of blue carbon projects still encounter multiple challenges, such as regulatory obstacles, limited methodology, and lack of community involvement. Moreover, seagrass cultivation has peculiar challenges and requires an innovative approach to ensure environmental sustainability. Moreover, Bimo revealed that the absence of blue carbon potential under the Sustainable Resource Management (SRM) framework also reflects ongoing developmental challenges.
“But compare to the potential that we see in Indonesia, I think we are behind other countries. Even though we have a fairly long coastlines and mangrove and sea grass, we do not possess the biggest mangrove worldwide. Also, Indonesia still does not have seagrass carbon projects, and the regulation is still developing,” Bimo conveyed during the talks with Poempida Hidayatulloh on the Forum Carbon Indonesia YouTube channel.
CarbonEthics and its efforts to boost Archipelago’s blue carbon sector
As one of organization that aims to restore the climate balance through natural climate solutions with pioneers in blue carbon rehabilitation, CarbonEthics has taken strategic steps to optimize coastal development through blue carbon, including:
- Education and public awareness reinforcement regarding the importance of coastal ecosystems and the benefits of blue carbon. Through a community-based approach, Bimo said that his party continues to educate local residents about the importance of coastal ecosystems in mitigating climate change.
- Community-centric conservation model for managing and preserving coastal ecosystems to ensure environmental sustainability.
- Build collaboration with Indonesia’s government and other stakeholders to boost blue carbon projects, one of which is establishing a policy with Indonesia’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and Directorate of Mangrove Forests from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).
- Involvement in Carbon Associations and Forums to enlarge partnerships and knowledge exchange.
- Research and innovation to advance coastal cultivation sustainably.
- A climate-smart aquaculture integration into the projects, leveraging multiple revenue streams for economic viability.
Bimo further admitted that running a carbon sector business requires optimism and caution, especially in overcoming several possible scenarios. As a business player, he invites industry players to be more patient as this sector is a long-run game in terms of profit and impact.
“The key is about endurance and persistence as it is not easy. However, if you are doing it that way, then you can eventually reach whatever goals you aim for; that is your life journey.” Bimo in his closing statement.