JAKARTA – The government is preparing Belitung Island in the province of Kepulauan Bangka-Belitung as the first Carbon Free Island (CFI) in Indonesia. If it is realized it will become a historical milestone in the country’s efforts of decarbonizing its economy.

The idea of carbon free island was proposed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) which saw the potential of Belitung to become a pioneer in the national clean energy transformation.

Warmly welcoming the government’s plan, Bangka-Belitung Governor  Hidayat Arsani said it stands as an extraordinary opportunity for Belitung.

“Belitung will become a carbon-free island? It’s a great opportunity. We’ll be proud of it. We’ll fully support it,” said Hidayat on Saturday (3/5/2025).

The government’s plan was confirmed during a meeting on Friday in Jakarta between Governor Hidayat and the Special Staff to KKP Minister for Marine Spatial Planning and Foreign Cooperation, Dyah Erowati.

Dyah said that under the CFI program Belitung island, which has forest areas of around 205,000 hectares and oil palm plantations of around 17,360 hectares, will be gradually freed from its dependence on fossil fuels.

“We are open to continual communication and learn from KKP regarding the implementation of CFI. This is a big agenda that we will keep monitoring seriously,” said Hidayat.

He said that Kepulauan Bangka Belitung is an archipelagic province with many big and small islands, relatively stable in terms of social and security, and are rich in tourist attractions. “If we manage to implement the CFI plan in Belitung, then it will create a new icon for the environment and tourism. That way we can improve our local economy,” he said.

“Imagine when that happens, more and more tourists will come, not only for its natural beauty, but also for its becoming a new icon of green transformation,” the Governor concluded optimistically. (*)