Nusa Dua, Bali – As President Joko Widodo invited global leaders to a tree planting event at the Taman Hutan Raya (Tahura) Ngurah Rai Mangrove Forest, on the sidelines of the G20 summit meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia has once again strengthened its strong commitment in tackling climate change.
Chief of Staff to the President Moeldoko emphasized Indonesia’s seriousness towards mangrove restoration and rehabilitation of Indonesia’s critical lands.
“President Jokowi and global leaders’ mangrove planting event at Tahura shows a solid joint effort in dealing with climate change impacts that can threaten global prosperity and development,” said Moeldoko at the G20 Media Center, Nusa Dua Bali, Wednesday (16/11).
“Mangrove planting involving G20 leaders displays global solidarity, mutual cooperation and collective collaboration in addressing environmental change,” he added.
Indonesia’s mangroves are among the most carbon-rich forests in the world and it harbors the largest biodiversity counting up to at least 92 species.
In addition, Indonesia’s mangroves contain 3.14 billion metric tonnes of carbon. “This is equivalent to the gas emissions of 2.5 billion vehicles in a year. A very large and meaningful number to boost climate action,” added Moeldoko.
According to World Bank data as of July 2021, about 3,5 million hectares of mangrove forest grow along Indonesia coastline, representing 23 percent of all mangrove ecosystems in the world. Still, Indonesia continues to build Rumpin modern nurseries that produce good quality seedlings.
“These seeds will be planted in critical land to restore the function of the land,” said Moeldoko.
The government has successfully rehabilitated around three million critical lands in the 2010-2019 period. By the end of 2024, President Jokowi has instructed that at least 600,000 mangrove areas must be successfully rehabilitated.
Energy transition served as a key part in the G20 Summit. This nation is focusing on utilizing new renewable energy, including biofuels, as well as developing clean energy-based industries.
“We have also succeeded in developing the electric car ecosystem and building the largest solar power plant in Indonesia,” said Moeldoko.
The government is currently building the world’s largest green industry in North Kalimantan. The construction of the Kayan Hydroelectric Power Plant (PLTA) in Bulungan, North Kalimantan, is one of the major topics that the country has currently focused on.
“The MoU between Sumitomo Corp. and PT. Kayan Hydro Energy to build hydropower plants in Kalimantan with a capacity of nine thousand MegaWatts is a form of our unending commitment to the energy transition,” said the former Military Commander.
