EduAsiaNews,Jakarta – The partnership between Indonesia and Norway in protecting tropical forests and addressing global climate change has been recognized as a new model of international co, operation that is more equitable, transparent, and results-based. Through the Results-Based Payment (RBP) mechanism, financial contributions are disbursed only after Indonesia successfully demonstrates measurable and independently verified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the forestry and land-use sector.
This perspective emerged during the launch and book discussion of Diplomasi Bumi: Cerita di Balik Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 (Earth Diplomacy: The Story Behind Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030), organized by the Ministry of Forestry at the Manggala Wanabakti Building in Jakarta on Thursday (July 30, 2026). The event was opened by the Ministry’s Secretary-General, Mahfudz, and featured Haruni Krisnawati, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Forestry for Climate Change and Chief Editor of the book; Agus Justianto, Project Director of the FOLU Norway Contribution Phase 1; and Endah Tri Kurniawaty, Director of Fundraising and Development at the Environmental Fund Management Agency (BPDLH).
In his opening remarks, Secretary-General Mahfudz emphasized that environmental diplomacy has become an integral component of Indonesia’s development diplomacy. Indonesia’s success in reducing deforestation, improving forest governance, and advancing the Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 program demonstrates that forest protection not only delivers ecological benefits but also strengthens international confidence in Indonesia’s commitment to fulfilling the targets of the Paris Agreement.
Haruni Krisnawati explained that the Indonesia–Norway partnership began with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) in Oslo in May 2010. The agreement created an opportunity for results-based contributions of up to US$1 billion, contingent upon Indonesia’s achievements in reducing emissions from the forestry sector. However, implementation of the LoI encountered institutional challenges and differences in perspective, prompting both countries to conclude the agreement in September 2021 and establish a new framework for cooperation.
“The conclusion of the LoI did not signify the end of the relationship between our two countries. Rather, it marked an opportunity to build a more equal and mature partnership,” Haruni stated.
The bilateral relationship entered a new phase with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in September 2022. Under the new framework, Indonesia and Norway cooperate as equal partners based on the principles of mutual respect and trust, with payments made solely on the basis of independently verified emission reduction achievements rather than as development assistance.
Through this mechanism, Indonesia has received three stages of results-based payments totaling approximately US$216 million. The first payment, amounting to US$56 million, recognized emission reductions achieved during the 2016–2017 period. Norway subsequently approved combined second and third payments totaling US$100 million for emission reductions during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019, followed by a fourth payment of US$60 million for achievements recorded during 2019–2020. These funds are managed by the Environmental Fund Management Agency (BPDLH) and allocated to support forest conservation, ecosystem rehabilitation, forest and land fire prevention, social forestry, community empowerment, and the improvement of livelihoods for forest-dependent communities.
Agus Justianto added that Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 is among the country’s most ambitious national strategies in the forestry sector. The initiative aims to ensure that, by 2030, the forestry and land-use sector absorbs more carbon emissions than it generates through reduced deforestation, peatland and mangrove restoration, forest rehabilitation, sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and enhanced carbon sequestration.
Meanwhile, Endah Tri Kurniawaty highlighted that BPDLH serves as a critical financial instrument supporting Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 by ensuring that all results-based payments are managed transparently, accountably, and effectively, while delivering tangible benefits to environmental protection initiatives and the communities directly involved in sustainable forest management. BPDLH will continue to collaborate with stakeholders in fulfilling its mandate to manage environmental funds in support of Indonesia’s environmental commitments.
The speakers agreed that addressing climate change requires collective action beyond the efforts of any single nation. Trust, policy consistency, transparency, and long-term commitment from all stakeholders are essential. The Indonesia–Norway partnership demonstrates that tropical forest conservation can progress alongside national development and improved community welfare. Through this publication, the Ministry of Forestry hopes Indonesia’s experience will serve as a valuable reference for other tropical countries seeking to establish equitable, mutually respectful, and results-oriented international partnerships for forest conservation and global climate action.
