Indonesia's Forestry Ministry Positions Forests as New Engine of Green Growth

Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, announced that the nation’s forests will become a “new engine of growth” through a green‑growth strategy. The revised National Forestry Plan (RKTN 2011‑2030) places forest conservation alongside job creation and economic development, with a focus on consistent implementation and carbon‑trading mechanisms. The ministry has introduced a non‑certified emission‑reduction scheme (Non‑SPE‑GRK) and is preparing a Carbon Unit Registry (SRUK) to launch a domestic carbon market for forestry projects. Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan praised the rapid regulatory rollout, urging other ministries to follow the example. The forest police (Polhut) are also set to expand from 5,000 to 70,000 personnel to strengthen forest protection. These initiatives aim to meet national emission‑reduction targets while generating revenue and employment from sustainable forest management.