Balikpapan - The Mahakam Delta, the largest delta in Indonesia, was dominated by mangrove ecosystems. According to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry’s technical unit (BPKH) Region IV Samarinda, mangrove ecosystems in the Mahakam Delta cover an area of 113,553 ha out of the total 150,000 ha. Unfortunately, over 50 percent of the area has been deforested, and the number is still growing. Several studies revealed that mangrove deforestation in the Mahakam Delta from 2000 to 2015 reached 489.73 hectares per year.
To overcome this problem, Pertamina Hulu Indonesia, a Pertamina Upstream Subholding Region 3 Kalimantan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pertamina Foundation regarding the Blue Carbon Initiative program in the Mahakam Delta, Kalimantan.
We fully support the rehabilitation of mangroves in the Mahakam Delta to reduce carbon emissions, which aligns with Pertamina’s commitment. Through this MoU, we hope that the steps to Reduce Carbon Emissions in the Mahakam Region can be carried out optimally, because we are accompanied by academics and experts in this field, said Chalid Said Salim, President Director of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia.

At the event, Pertamina Foundation President Director Agus Mashud S. Asngari described the Blue Carbon Initiative program as part of the Nature-Based Solutions, which refers to the sustainable use and management of natural resources to tackle social and environmental challenges. It is also Pertamina’s contribution to supporting the achievement of Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

"Pertamina is committed to offsetting carbon emissions of its entire operations by 29%-41% in 2030. To achieve this, Pertamina has a nature-based solution initiative, conducted and implemented by PT Pertamina (Persero)’s CSR through the Pertamina Foundation. Carbon emission reduction will be carried out through ecosystem conservation and rehabilitation projects in integrative actions with community empowerment and biodiversity protection programs," said Agus, Monday (04/11).

Chalid further explained that according to the MoU, the scope of cooperation to be implemented includes but is not limited to Mangrove Conservation/Rehabilitation, Biodiversity Conservation in the Mahakam Working Area/River Basin, and Community Empowerment Activities in the special-purpose forest (KHDTK) area under the energy-independent Village (Desa Energi Berdikari) program.

In addition, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) also stipulates the assessment and calculation of carbon stocks, potential CO2 emission reduction, and the ties between those figures with the 2030 NDC target at each target location as part of Pertamina’s contribution.

Through this MoU, various programs within the Mahakam Delta were harmonized, including the Mahakam Pertamina Forest program. The program began with planting 1 million mangrove trees in a 100 hectare-area in the Mahakam Delta in 2022 as a manifestation of Pertamina’s commitment to implementing the ESG and supporting the SDGs and the government’s target to be carbon-emission free by 2060.

"These are concrete actions that our stakeholders and we, part of the upstream oil and gas industry, take to continue to carry out safe and eco-friendly oil and gas operations, reduce carbon emissions and protect our forests and nature. We hope our efforts create positive impacts on the environment, which is in tune with the Company’s commitment to green operations," said Chalid.