Indonesia has a great opportunity to strengthen its role as the “green bridge of the world” at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) to be held in Brazil in 2025. As a country with extraordinary natural resources, Indonesia is considered to have a strategic position in international climate diplomacy. David Efendi, a lecturer in Government Science at Muhammadiyah University Yogyakarta (UMY), emphasized that Indonesia’s ecological position makes it a key player in the global environmental agenda.
Efendi explained that Indonesia’s ambition to become a leader on climate change issues is not new. Since the leadership of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, particularly through the hosting of COP13 in Bali in 2007, Indonesia has built a reputation as a country that contributes significantly to global climate agreements. This commitment continued after the Paris Agreement, where Indonesia demonstrated its dedication to addressing the impacts of climate change through various national and international initiatives.
One of Indonesia’s main assets is its unmatched ecological wealth. With tropical forests covering about 10% of the world’s total tropical rainforests, Indonesia is home to more than 17,000 islands and the second-longest coastline in the world after Canada. Its high biodiversity, including thousands of endemic species of flora and fauna, offers great potential for carbon sequestration. These forests act as the “lungs of the world,” absorbing millions of tons of carbon dioxide each year. In addition, Indonesia’s vast marine area, covering about 70% of the country’s total sea area, makes it an important player in mitigating the impacts of marine climate change, such as sea level rise and coral bleaching.
In the regional context, Efendi highlighted that no country in Southeast Asia has ecological bargaining power comparable to Indonesia. Countries such as Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, or Singapore may have rapid economic progress, but they do not have the ecological capacity that is in the global spotlight.
Efendi added that Indonesia’s geographical position as an archipelagic country makes it vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as floods, droughts, and tropical storms. However, this also places it as a key actor in maintaining global climate balance. If Indonesia fails to manage its natural resources properly, the world will feel the consequences, including global warming and disruption of the international food supply chain. Therefore, Indonesia is often seen as a bridge between developed and developing countries in climate discussions, promoting fair and inclusive collaboration.
In diplomacy, Indonesia has implemented a smart negotiation strategy. One of them is adjusting emission reduction targets, which not only considers the global commitment to limit temperature increases to below 1.5°C in accordance with the Paris Agreement, but also allows room for national economic development. For example, Indonesia joined the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in 2022, supported by the G7 countries, to accelerate the transition to clean energy. This initiative aims to reduce emissions from the energy sector while supporting economic growth, with an initial investment of USD 20 billion. This strategy demonstrates how Indonesia balances domestic interests with global responsibilities.
However, Efendi cautioned that this potential must be supported by consistent domestic policies. Key challenges include enforcing laws against illegal deforestation, which often involves large corporations, and developing sustainable green infrastructure. In 2023, Indonesia reported a 10% reduction in deforestation thanks to its forest moratorium policy, but criticism from international NGOs such as Greenpeace indicates that its implementation still needs improvement. In addition, Indonesia needs to increase its technological capacity for emissions monitoring and the development of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, which currently only contribute about 12% of the country’s total energy.
Opportunities at COP30
At COP30, Indonesia has the opportunity to lead agendas such as emission reduction, forest protection, and climate collaboration. With its ecological and political assets, the country can serve as a connector between developed nations, which have technological resources, and developing ones, which need financial support. For instance, Indonesia has facilitated dialogue between ASEAN and the European Union on climate issues, demonstrating its role as a mediator.
To achieve this ambition, Efendi suggests the government strengthen public-private partnerships and increase environmental education in society. With its large young population, Indonesia can leverage Generation Z and millennials for climate awareness campaigns. Furthermore, integrating technologies like AI for forest monitoring and blockchain for carbon trading can strengthen Indonesia’s position.
Conclusion
Overall, Indonesia has a strong foundation to become the “world’s green bridge” at COP30. With its solid diplomatic history, abundant natural wealth, and wise negotiation strategies, the country can not only promote climate action but also ensure that the voices of developing nations are heard. However, success depends on real commitment in domestic policies. If done consistently, Indonesia can lead the world toward a greener and more sustainable future.
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