Ecobiz.asia – In the verdant expanse of the Rumpin Permanent Nursery in Bogor regency, Heru Permana, head of the Citarum–Ciliwung Watershed Management Agency under the Ministry of Forestry, meticulously inspects rows of sengon saplings. His gaze lingers on each slender, light-green stem, assessing leaf development and stem robustness to ensure that only high-quality, disease-resistant, and fast-growing seedlings with strong root systems are selected for reforestation efforts on degraded lands.
Established as a cornerstone in Indonesia’s reforestation initiatives, the Rumpin Nursery was initiated in 2020 and commenced construction in early 2021 through a public-private partnership. President Joko Widodo officially inaugurated the facility on June 10, 2022. Spanning over 120 hectares, the nursery boasts modern amenities, including climate-controlled greenhouses, automated irrigation systems with soil moisture sensors, and seed viability testing laboratories. With a development budget of approximately Rp 70 billion, it has the capacity to produce up to 12 million seedlings annually, encompassing species such as sengon, mahogany, and various multipurpose plants like avocado and jackfruit.
“By the end of 2024, the Rumpin Nursery had distributed 16.8 million seedlings,” Heru stated during the Journalist Workshop on Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink, organized by the Ministry of Forestry in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
These seedlings are disseminated not only through the ministry’s networks but are also accessible to communities in forest-adjacent villages and other stakeholders engaged in land rehabilitation programs. Each batch is assigned a digital serial number, enabling post-distribution tracking via GPS technology. Field teams utilize a dedicated application to verify that the sengon seedlings are planted in designated locations, whether within the Citarum–Ciliwung watershed or other targeted areas.
Among the beneficiaries of these superior seedlings is the Tree Grower Community, led by Iqbal Iswandaru. This organization serves as a collective for students from the Silviculture Department of the Faculty of Forestry and Environment at IPB University. “We share a common passion for tree planting,” Iqbal remarked.
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The Tree Grower Community actively engages in planting activities across various forest and degraded land sites, involving local communities in their endeavors. Iqbal emphasized the critical role of youth participation in tree planting and land rehabilitation efforts. “Beyond mitigating disasters like floods and droughts, tree planting also sequesters carbon, making it an effective strategy for combating climate change,” he noted.
Operationalizing the FOLU Net Sink Agenda
Ruandha Agung Sugardiman, Senior Advisor to Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink Task Force, underscored that activities ranging from seedling provision to planting are integral components of the FOLU Net Sink 2030 agenda, transcending mere greening programs.
This agenda entails collaboration among government entities, private sectors, NGOs, academic institutions, and local communities to achieve the primary objective: transforming the forestry and other land use (FOLU) sector into a net greenhouse gas (GHG) sink by 2030.
“The FOLU Net Sink framework encompasses forest and land rehabilitation, peatland restoration, forest conservation, and the enhancement of sustainable forest management practices,” Ruandha explained.
The targeted GHG emission reduction through the FOLU Net Sink agenda is set at minus 140 million tons of CO₂ equivalent. Successful implementation could contribute to nearly a 60 percent reduction in national emissions compared to the business-as-usual scenario.
Implementing these activities necessitates substantial operational funding. Agus Justianto, also a Senior Advisor to the FOLU Net Sink Task Force, revealed that, in addition to allocations from the state budget (APBN), funding sources include Result-Based Contributions (RBC) from the Norwegian government, recognizing Indonesia’s achievements in reducing GHG emissions.
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“This is not a donor aid but a Result-Based Payment (RBP) that Indonesia rightfully earns for its emission reduction accomplishments,” he clarified.
To date, RBC disbursements have occurred in several phases: Phase I amounted to US$54 million, Phases II and III each provided US$100 million, and Phase IV contributed US$60 million. Phase V is currently under negotiation.
“These funds are managed by the Environmental Fund Management Agency (BPDLH) under principles of good governance and high accountability to ensure that benefits reach communities living near forests,” Agus emphasized.
He further mentioned that to attract broader funding, the government is opening avenues through the Carbon Economic Value mechanism, including carbon credit trading. Indonesia is currently strengthening governance structures to establish a transparent and integrity-driven carbon market, ensuring that the value of forest ecosystem services is appropriately recognized.
International organizations also support the implementation of the FOLU Net Sink agenda. One such entity is the UNDP. Aretha Aprilia, Head of the Nature, Climate & Energy Unit at UNDP Indonesia, stated that through the Climate Promise initiative, UNDP is committed to assisting Indonesia in achieving its Net Zero Emission (NZE) target, focusing on the FOLU Net Sink 2030 program.
She added that this support aims to maximize Indonesia’s forest carbon sequestration potential both nationally and globally.
Aretha also disclosed that UNDP, in partnership with the Indonesian government, has channeled over US$130 million through the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and BPDLH to support various strategic programs, including social forestry, forest fire prevention, and environmental protection.
“This collaboration exemplifies a tangible international commitment to supporting Indonesia’s journey toward inclusive and sustainable development,” she remarked.
Mahfudz, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Forestry, stressed that the FOLU Net Sink initiative transcends numerical targets on paper—it embodies a collective responsibility to safeguard the environment and ensure the sustainability of natural resources.
“The role of journalists and the media is crucial,” Mahfudz asserted. “We need full public support, and you—the journalists—serve as the information bridge to ensure that every village head, investor, and stakeholder is informed and motivated.” ***