Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, countries around the world have accelerated efforts to limit the increase in global temperatures. The initial objective was to keep the rise in average global temperature well below 2°C.
However, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) later emphasized that limiting warming to 1.5°C would significantly reduce climate-related risks and impacts. This shift has increased pressure on countries to strengthen their climate commitments and accelerate greenhouse gas emission reductions.
For Indonesia, the NDC has become one of the main instruments for translating international climate commitments into national action.
At the same time, global economic uncertainty, geopolitical conflicts, energy security concerns, and development challenges have made the transition increasingly complex.
Global Climate Response and Pressure on Developing Countries
The international community has responded to the climate crisis through various forums, including the G7, G20, and the Conference of the Parties (COP) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
These forums continue to encourage faster energy transitions, stronger emission reduction commitments, and long-term pathways toward Net Zero Emissions.
Developing economies such as Indonesia, China, India, and Brazil are increasingly expected to make significant contributions to global emission reduction efforts.
This creates an important policy challenge.
Under the Kyoto Protocol, responsibilities were differentiated between developed countries listed under Annex I and developing countries categorized as Non-Annex I.
Developed countries carried binding emission reduction responsibilities, while developing countries had different obligations and circumstances.
The Paris Agreement introduced a broader framework in which all participating countries submit their respective climate commitments.
Indonesia has consistently emphasized the importance of burden sharing rather than burden shifting.
This principle reflects the view that global climate responsibilities should consider historical emissions, national capabilities, and different levels of economic development.
More information about the international climate framework is available through the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
NDC Development in Indonesia
Indonesia has demonstrated its climate commitment through the submission and development of several Nationally Determined Contribution documents.
These documents reflect changes in national ambition, sectoral priorities, and climate policy.
- 2015 – Intended NDC: Indonesia submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution before ratification of the Paris Agreement.
- 2016 – First NDC: Following ratification, Indonesia committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 29% through domestic efforts and up to 41% with international support.
- 2021 – Updated NDC: The emission reduction commitment remained at 29% and 41%, while the marine sector received greater recognition within climate adaptation measures.
- 2022 – Enhanced NDC: Indonesia increased its emission reduction ambition to 31.89% through domestic efforts and 43.20% with international support.
These developments demonstrate how national climate policy has evolved alongside changing scientific evidence and international expectations.
7 Powerful Climate Actions Supporting Indonesia’s NDC
Indonesia’s climate strategy involves more than simply setting national emission targets.
Several important policy and implementation measures support the country’s broader climate agenda.
- Increasing Emission Reduction Ambition: Indonesia strengthened its unconditional and conditional emission reduction targets through the Enhanced NDC.
- Developing Carbon Economic Value: Presidential Regulation No. 98 of 2021 established an important framework for Carbon Economic Value and carbon management mechanisms.
- Strengthening Carbon Regulations: Supporting regulations provide mechanisms for carbon trading, emission reductions, and other carbon-related activities.
- Expanding Climate Adaptation: Marine and coastal issues have become increasingly important within adaptation planning.
- Integrating Additional Greenhouse Gases: The ratification of the Kigali Amendment strengthens efforts to manage hydrofluorocarbons and other climate-related emissions.
- Developing Blue Carbon Strategies: Coastal ecosystems are receiving greater attention because of their potential role in climate mitigation and adaptation.
- Improving Climate Monitoring: Better methodologies, data collection, and greenhouse gas inventories are essential for transparent climate reporting.
Together, these actions create a broader framework for translating international commitments into national implementation.
Leading by Example in Climate Diplomacy
Indonesia frequently promotes the principle of leading by example in environmental and climate diplomacy.
This approach emphasizes that international positions should be supported by concrete domestic actions.
In addition to its climate contribution documents, Indonesia has developed policies and communications related to REDD+, adaptation, carbon management, and greenhouse gas mitigation.
Presidential Regulation No. 98 of 2021 concerning Carbon Economic Value is one example of how climate commitments are being translated into national policy instruments.
Indonesia has also introduced supporting regulations related to carbon economic mechanisms.
These measures strengthen the institutional framework needed to implement carbon management, emission reduction, and climate financing activities.
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The Strategic Role of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Marine issues are not new within international climate discussions.
Coastal and marine ecosystems have long been recognized as important components of environmental protection and climate resilience.
Indonesia, together with other island and coastal countries, has supported stronger discussion of ocean-related climate issues within the UNFCCC process.
At COP25 in Madrid in 2019, Indonesia and other countries encouraged further consideration of ocean and climate issues.
This momentum continued at COP26 in Glasgow, where ocean-climate dialogue gained greater international attention.
Although marine ecosystems have not always been treated as a separate negotiation element, these developments demonstrate growing recognition of their importance.
Blue Carbon and the Future of NDC Implementation
Coastal ecosystems can contribute to climate adaptation and mitigation through shoreline protection, biodiversity conservation, carbon storage, and support for coastal livelihoods.
Indonesia has already included marine issues within adaptation elements covering economic resilience, landscape resilience, and livelihood resilience.
However, the role of coastal ecosystems in mitigation accounting remains more complex.
Mangroves can be included within the Forest and Other Land Use (FOLU) sector because they are recognized as forest ecosystems.
However, coastal carbon is not limited to above-ground vegetation.
Large amounts of carbon can also be stored below ground and within sediments.
This is why blue carbon accounting requires specific methodologies and reliable environmental data.
Challenges in Measuring Coastal Carbon
One of the main challenges is developing accurate methodologies for calculating carbon stored in ecosystems such as seagrass meadows and tidal marshes.
These ecosystems can store significant amounts of carbon within their soils and sediments.
However, reliable accounting requires consistent methodologies, long-term datasets, field measurements, and continuous monitoring.
Scientific standards are particularly important because carbon accounting can influence national inventories, mitigation claims, and potentially carbon market activities.
Indonesia therefore needs continued collaboration among government institutions, universities, research organizations, environmental specialists, and local communities.
Reliable Data and Monitoring Are Essential
Climate targets cannot be effectively managed without reliable data.
Long-term monitoring is necessary to understand changes in ecosystem condition, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon sequestration.
Measurement, Reporting, and Verification systems can strengthen transparency and provide evidence of progress toward national targets.
Digital technology can also support this process.
Remote sensing, satellite data, Geographic Information Systems, field measurements, and environmental monitoring platforms can improve the quality of climate-related information.
These tools can help policymakers identify priority areas for conservation, restoration, and emission reduction.
The Next Step for Indonesia’s Climate Commitment
Indonesia has demonstrated a strong commitment to climate action through progressively developed national targets, climate regulations, carbon management policies, and growing attention to coastal ecosystems.
The next challenge is ensuring that policy ambition is supported by measurable implementation.
Improved methodologies, stronger institutional capacity, reliable monitoring systems, and effective coordination among stakeholders will be essential.
Climate action should also extend beyond carbon trading and emission reductions.
Protecting and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems can strengthen climate resilience while providing environmental, economic, and social benefits.
Indonesia therefore has significant potential to use blue carbon as part of a broader strategy for mitigation and adaptation.
A strong NDC framework, supported by science, policy, technology, and ecosystem protection, can help Indonesia contribute to global efforts to limit warming while supporting sustainable national development.
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