East Kalimantan Government and YKAN Strengthen Local Capacity for Blue Carbon Project Implementation

East Kalimantan Provincial Government, through the Marine and Fisheries Agency (DKP), and Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), held a Technical Training on Blue Carbon Credits and Carbon Economic Value (NEK) in Samarinda from 7–9 October 2025. The event aimed to build local capacity for sustainable coastal ecosystem management and support efforts to mitigate climate change.

The training materials addressed key aspects, including national and international climate change policies, methodologies for calculating carbon stocks in mangrove and seagrass ecosystems, National Registration System (SRN) for emission reduction efforts, and global and national carbon market mechanisms. Participants also engaged in practical sessions on biomass, carbon, and emission calculations, using them as the basis for preparing Mitigation Action Plan Documents (DRAM).

East Kalimantan Province is renowned for its strategic coastal and marine areas, including the Derawan Islands and the Derawan Islands and Surrounding Waters Marine Conservation Area (KKP3K-KDPS) in Berau Regency. Through the Koralestari Program supported by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), YKAN is currently fostering innovative financing sources for coral reef conservation and restoration in Indonesia. One such initiative involves potential self-financing from blue carbon in the KKP3K KDPS area.

Located within the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape, KKP3K KDPS is one of the regions with the highest marine biodiversity in the world and is part of the Coral Triangle. Spanning more than 285,000 hectares, it holds significant potential for blue carbon project development. Preliminary studies indicate the area contains approximately 12,000 hectares of mangroves and nearly 2,000 hectares of seagrass, capable of sequestering over 69,000 tons of CO₂ equivalent per year.

If managed effectively, this potential holds an economic value of approximately USD 317,000 annually (USD 4.6/tCO₂e). This value could potentially increase when considering the ecological benefits it offers, such as coastal protection, provision of critical habitats, and support for local livelihoods.

However, mangrove and seagrass ecosystems are under serious threat. They are facing with several challenges, including land conversion for aquaculture, unsustainable tourism pressure, and pollution. Without intervention, approximately 20 percent of mangroves and 35 percent of seagrass are projected to degrade over the next four decades.

For this reason, the East Kalimantan Provincial Government and its partners are encouraging the creation of innovative NEK-based financing schemes through blue carbon trading. This scheme is expected to become a sustainable source of funding for conservation area management while improving the welfare of coastal communities.

“The coastal and marine areas of East Kalimantan, particularly KKP3K KDPS, are extraordinary assets. They are not only a source of pride for the people of Berau but also a symbol of the provincial government’s commitment to preserving its natural wealth. Through partnerships with various parties, including YKAN, we are developing sustainable financing schemes through service levies and blue carbon trading,” said East Kalimantan Provincial Secretary, Sri Wahyuni.

Sri Wahyuni added that East Kalimantan’s experience with the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) provides vital knowledge for developing blue carbon trading. “We realize that building a blue carbon trading system cannot be achieved overnight. But with collaboration and commitment, we are confident East Kalimantan can be a pioneer,” she said.

Similarly, Irhan Hukmaidy, the Head of the Provincial Marine and Fisheries Office, emphasized the importance of strengthening human resource capacity to accelerate the implementation of blue carbon in the region. He clarified that this initiative transcends mere technical training; it represents a long-term investment in the future of coastal management. Hukmaidy emphasized the need to ensure that every stakeholder, including government entities, academic institutions, and local communities, comprehends the concept and mechanisms of blue carbon.

Currently, the DKP of East Kalimantan has prepared several strategic steps to strengthen local readiness, including the development of coastal ecosystem data systems, integration with the Coastal and Small Islands Spatial Planning (RZWP3K), and cross-sector coordination to ensure alignment with national policies.

Cross-Sector Synergy for Sustainability

The training was supported and attended by representatives from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, various provincial and district agencies—such as the Marine and Fisheries Office, Forestry Office, Environment and Sanitation Office, Regional Climate Change Council, Tourism Office, and Bappeda—along with universities and community groups, including village-level mangrove managers. Participants received direct guidance from experts in blue carbon.

Rabiah Tul Handawiah from the Berau Regency Environment and Sanitation Agency said the training opened new perspectives on the link between conservation and the blue economy. “We have mostly worked on environmental policy, but this training helped us understand the technical and economic aspects of blue carbon. Now we see how mangroves and seagrass are not just carbon sinks but also assets supporting regional development,” she said.

Another participant, Dewi Embong Bulan, an academic from Mulawarman University, noted that the training strengthened collaboration between government, academia, and civil society. “The knowledge we gained here is highly applicable. We hope universities can play a role in the research and monitoring of blue carbon. This is a great momentum to bridge academic knowledge and public policy,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mariski Nirwan, Senior Coastal Resilience Manager at YKAN, stressed the importance of blue carbon literacy at the local level. “East Kalimantan has enormous potential, but it also needs strong knowledge to manage it. This training is crucial for stakeholders to understand the ins and outs of blue carbon mechanisms, from planning to implementation, so future projects are credible, sustainable, and community-oriented,” she said.

Mariski added that blue carbon projects should not be seen merely as economic commodities. “We are not selling air or carbon numbers. We are building a system to ensure that every ton of sequestered carbon represents real conservation, coastal protection, and better lives for communities. With strong capacity, East Kalimantan can become an example of how conservation and development can go hand in hand,” she concluded.

About Koralestari

Koralestari aims to address funding gaps related to coral reef conservation and restoration through innovative financing schemes and investments in reef-friendly enterprises. These solutions cover blue carbon, coral reef insurance, self-financing marine conservation areas via BLUD, sustainable commodity development, and community-based funding facilities. This program will run from 2024 to 2029 in the Sawu Sea (East Nusa Tenggara), Berau (East Kalimantan), and Lingga (Riau Islands).