Southeast Asia Framework for Ocean Action in Mitigation - Indonesian Pilot Study

Quantedge Advancement Initiative supported Climateworks Centre in a pilot programme that focuses on incorporating ocean-based mitigation action into national climate commitments.
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The Southeast Asia Framework for Ocean Action in Mitigation (SEAFOAM) Indonesian Pilot Study scoped, convened, and presented ocean-based climate mitigation options in Indonesia. As the largest archipelagic country in the world and host to 17% of the world’s blue carbon ecosystems, Indonesia is one of the most important countries in the world for ocean-based climate change mitigation. Sustainable management of the ocean around Indonesia offers dual benefits: it could achieve significant climate mitigation impact while providing coastal communities with climate resilience. ​
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Coastal region in Kelingking Beach, Indonesia. (Photo by Paolo Nicolello, Unsplash)
SEAFOAM identified solutions across sectors including shipping, nature-based solutions and offshore energy and produced spatial maps of high-potential intervention areas in Indonesia. It also highlighted blue carbon project opportunities that could be developed to benefit the livelihoods of local communities. During the one-year programme, Climateworks Centre engaged local stakeholders and showcased SEAFOAM at the international level to encourage the adoption of ocean-based mitigation action amongst coastal nations and strengthen collective ambition on the topic.
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The High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy has shown that ocean-based action can deliver 21% of the annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction needed to reach the Paris Agreement target by 2050. SEAFOAM targets this opportunity by supporting the inclusion of ocean-based action within countries’ climate commitments. This can catalyse change in reducing ocean-based carbon emissions, and protecting and restoring blue carbon ecosystems in Indonesia and beyond.
Outcomes:
In Phase 1 of SEAFOAM, Climateworks Centre explored a range of coastal and offshore mitigation options in Indonesia, and collated qualitative and quantitative data on these options to estimate their mitigation potential. The analysis identified three sectors with significant climate mitigation opportunities in Indonesia:
  1. Expanding protection and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems;
  2. Investing in offshore renewable energy; and
  3. Decarbonising the shipping and maritime transport sector.

Climateworks Centre published a report in September 2023, titled “Sea of opportunity: Ocean-based mitigation to support Indonesia’s climate ambition”. The report revealed that ocean-based climate action could contribute to nearly 50% of Indonesia’s net zero target by 2050, demonstrating the significant value and impact of Indonesia’s ocean-based mitigation potential.

In addition, Climateworks Centre also:
  • Convened an Indonesian Stakeholder Steering Group (ISSG) to engage key government stakeholders and decision-makers on the development of ocean-based climate policy; and
  • Showcased SEAFOAM at international events (e.g. COP27, COP28, ADB Southeast Asia Development Symposium 2023, Philanthropy Asia Summit 2023, 2024 UN Ocean Decade Conference) to strengthen collective ambition and literacy on ocean-climate issues.
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Building on the success of Phase 1 and the traction gained, Climateworks Centre is currently embarking on Phase 2 of SEAFOAM with an expanded scope of activities to further Indonesia's climate policy and action on ocean-based mitigation. 

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