As countries increasingly turn to nature-based solutions to meet emissions targets, Indonesia’s move to establish a seagrass emissions baseline reflects a broader effort to integrate coastal ecosystems into climate policy planning.
Indonesia is preparing a national greenhouse gas emissions baseline for seagrass ecosystems as part of efforts to strengthen blue carbon governance and increase the marine sector’s contribution to climate change mitigation.
The initiative, led by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, was discussed during a recent technical workshop in Jakarta that brought together government agencies, academics and other stakeholders.
Officials say the baseline will provide a scientific foundation for measuring how coastal ecosystems absorb or release greenhouse gas emissions, while helping guide climate policy in the marine and fisheries sector.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Seagrass Seen as Key to Nature-Based Climate Solutions
Seagrass ecosystems play a critical role in coastal environments due to their ability to absorb and store significant amounts of carbon.
Alongside mangroves and coral reefs, seagrass meadows form part of nature-based climate solutions known as blue carbon, which are increasingly recognized for their potential to support global mitigation efforts.
According to Koswara, Director General of Marine Management at the ministry, establishing an emissions baseline is essential to strengthening Indonesia’s blue carbon management framework.
“The data will serve as a scientific basis to measure the contribution of coastal ecosystems in absorbing or releasing greenhouse gas emissions while supporting the formulation of climate mitigation policies in the marine and fisheries sector,” he said in a statement on March 12, 2026.
Establishing Initial Carbon Conditions and Emission Risks
The emissions baseline is expected to help determine the initial condition of carbon stocks stored in seagrass ecosystems.
It will also provide insights into the potential emissions that may result from ecosystem disturbances or changes, offering policymakers a clearer understanding of environmental risks.
Such information is considered crucial for developing emission reduction scenarios and strengthening sustainable coastal ecosystem management strategies.
Building an Integrated Marine Emissions Data System
Participants at the Jakarta workshop also emphasized the importance of developing an integrated marine sector emissions data system.
Strengthening monitoring, reporting and evaluation mechanisms is seen as key to ensuring transparency in tracking the sector’s climate contributions.
Firdaus Agung, Director of Ecosystem Conservation at the ministry, said improvements in methodology and emissions data governance would support sustainable ocean development.
“The methodology for establishing the seagrass emissions baseline is expected to strengthen the marine and fisheries sector’s emissions data system so it becomes more integrated and credible,” he said.
Scientific Approach Critical for Accurate Climate Measurement
Climate change expert Rizaldi Boer of IPB University highlighted the importance of adopting a scientific approach in determining the baseline.
Accurate measurement of emissions and carbon storage capacity, he said, is necessary to ensure that the marine sector’s role in climate mitigation can be properly quantified.
By building reliable datasets and governance systems, Indonesia aims to position its coastal ecosystems as a measurable component of national climate strategies.
Strengthening Blue Carbon for Future Climate Policy
As countries increasingly turn to nature-based solutions to meet emissions targets, Indonesia’s move to establish a seagrass emissions baseline reflects a broader effort to integrate coastal ecosystems into climate policy planning.
With clearer data on carbon stocks and emissions dynamics, policymakers are expected to gain stronger tools for protecting marine habitats while advancing mitigation goals.
The initiative signals growing recognition that sustainable ocean management and climate action are closely linked — and that seagrass ecosystems could play a more prominent role in shaping Indonesia’s long-term environmental strategy.
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