Indonesia and Japan Explore Forest Carbon Cooperation at COP31

At COP31 in Antalya, Indonesia and Japan discussed expanding forest-based carbon projects through the Joint Crediting Mechanism. Indonesia outlined plans to restore 12 million hectares of degraded land, protect 50 million hectares of forest, and integrate carbon activities into social and customary forestry areas. Peatlands and mangroves are expected to be priority project types, with a focus on biodiversity and community benefits alongside carbon outcomes. Japan is a major potential buyer, aiming to procure around 100 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030 under its Green Transformation Emissions Trading System. The proposed cooperation could connect Japanese demand with Indonesian restoration priorities, but the integrity of the credits will depend on clear accounting rules, monitoring, and safeguards against reversal. The talks signal growing bilateral momentum for Article 6 projects in Southeast Asia.