Indonesia’s Early Movers Advance Gold Standard Mangrove Projects, Signaling Regional Demand and Community-Driven Momentum

Jakarta, Indonesia – [May 9, 2025] — A new wave of mangrove restoration initiatives in Indonesia is signaling strong early demand for certification under the Gold Standard Methodology for Sustainable Management of Mangroves —demonstrating the country’s growing role in advancing high-integrity, community-led climate solutions.

The first projects to complete preliminary review and achieve listed status under the new methodology are two Indonesian-based projects from two leading developers:

• Value Network Ventures (VNV), supported by YAKOPI, with the Ibu Bakau Community-Powered Mangrove Afforestation Project – VPA 1  and VPA 2 (GS23213); and
• Global Mangrove Trust (GMT), supported by YAGASU, with the Blue Carbon Restoration Project – Sumatra 1 (GS23180).

Both projects are currently advancing through validation in provinces across the Sumatran Island, including but not limited to North Sumatra and Aceh—coastal areas that have faced significant deforestation pressures and climate adversity. Supported by experienced local NGOs YAKOPI and YAGASU, which bring decades of hands-on expertise in community-based mangrove restoration, biodiversity monitoring, and sustainable livelihoods, these efforts reflect a broader pipeline of Indonesian nature-based projects engaging with Gold Standard’s methodology—highlighting local commitment, technical readiness, and the urgent need for robust, scalable frameworks for blue carbon.

“We see an inflection point for mangrove restoration in Southeast Asia,” said Dr. Ryan Merrill, Executive Director, Global Mangrove Trust. “Gold Standard’s updated methodology provides the clarity and credibility needed to scale blue carbon restoration, accelerate climate impact, and recognize local communities as central to driving long-term resilience.”

“For climate action to be truly generational, it must be built on long-term commitment and cross-sector collaboration” said Kasturi Navalkar, Head – Partnerships, Value Network Ventures . “What we’re building with Yagasu and Yakopi shows the power of deep, cross-sector collaboration rooted in local realities. These aren’t just carbon projects—they’re long-term investments in adaptation, livelihoods, and ecosystems. High-integrity frameworks like GS4M give us the structure to scale this work with confidence and urgency.”

Positioning Indonesia as a Hub for High-Integrity Blue Carbon

Indonesia—home to the world’s largest mangrove forests—holds unmatched potential to lead in nature-based climate solutions. The listing of the GMT and VNV projects under the Gold Standard framework signals growing interest in high-quality restoration that meets international benchmarks while being deeply rooted in local knowledge and leadership.

Each project reflects years of on-the-ground experience and demonstrates how rigorous carbon standards can support holistic, community-first approaches to climate action. Their progress is already inspiring interest from other project developers, funders, and governments in the region.

With growing alignment between Indonesia’s national frameworks—such as the Sistem Registri Nasional (SRN)—and international standards like Gold Standard, these early movers are helping lay the foundation for credible, scalable blue carbon solutions that support both people and the planet.