Government Promotes Carbon Credit for Papua

Government Promotes Carbon Credit for Papua

The government is serious about encouraging investment in Eastern Indonesia such as Papua and West Papua through trading carbon credits. The government will hold an international conference which will be held in Sorong, West Papua, on 27-28 February.

The conference will present representatives from countries that have the opportunity to become potential buyers of carbon credits. Indonesia has great potential in absorbing carbon gas emissions to the world. Given the vast forests and mangroves owned by Indonesia, especially in Papua.

"We talk about carbon credit, then about our natural wealth. There will be an International conference later in Sorong on 27-28 (February). 160 people will be present later. Of foreign countries, 53 people will be there. very important because the President directs us to really carry out well, "said the Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment.

Carbon credits are emissions trading between industrialized countries to countries that still have large forests as compensation for environmental damage. As for the format itself, the government is still making the rules. What is certain in this case will involve several banks to handle financing problems.

"We are preparing the format so that later there will be a roadmap. We will also involve the banks, Bank Mandiri, Bank BNI, Bank BRI, Bank CIMB Niaga to all contribute," he said.

The advantage of buying and selling carbon credits has the potential to contribute to the economy. Unfortunately, he did not want to mention how many profit targets to be gained. This could give birth to several billion dollars per year for Indonesia.

The concept of green investment is encouraged in the provinces of Papua and West Papua, namely by planting plantation commodities such as cocoa and other plantation commodities.

"We encourage them not to cut down forests anymore. But how to grow chocolate, grow foods that can contribute to produce oxygen and then overcome the problem of poverty," he said.