Indonesia & Singapore Collaborate on Cross-Border Environmental Pact for Net Zero by 2050

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: In a landmark development, Indonesia and Singapore have officially signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to collaborate on cross-border Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), marking a significant step towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The initiative positions Indonesia as a key player in the Southeast Asian CCS landscape and introduces a pioneering cross-border environmental cooperation model.

Jodi Mahardi, Deputy for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “This initiative underscores Indonesia’s commitment to assuming a leadership role in environmental responsibility within the Southeast Asian region. It represents a proactive approach to leveraging innovative technology for sustainable growth.”

The Deputy Secretary (Industry) of the Singaporean Ministry of Trade and Industry, Keith Tan, highlighted the importance of cross-border CCS as an emerging solution in Asia. Tan remarked, “CCS supports Singapore’s transition to a low-carbon future, and we are proud to be the first country to sign an LOI with Indonesia following the announcement of its presidential regulation on cross-border CCS.”

Under the LOI, both countries recognize CCS as a crucial decarbonization method, emphasizing its potential to support sustainable industrial activities and create new economic opportunities. This collaboration is expected to position Indonesia and Singapore as pioneers in accelerating the implementation of cross-border CCS projects in Southeast Asia.

To operationalize the agreement, a working group consisting of government officials from both nations will collaborate to establish a legally binding bilateral agreement. This agreement will facilitate the cross-border transportation and storage of carbon dioxide between Singapore and Indonesia.

The initiative aligns with Indonesia’s Presidential Regulation No. 14 of 2024 concerning the Implementation of Carbon Capture and Storage Activities. This regulation enables carbon storage operators to provide international carbon storage, reinforcing the commitment to global environmental stewardship.

The signing of this LOI signifies a groundbreaking moment in regional environmental cooperation, setting the stage for a collaborative effort to address climate change and work towards a sustainable and low-carbon future.