WRI Indonesia

Indonesia holds some of the world’s richest natural resources — and its most urgent challenges.

Made up of more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia is home to over 280 million people living across thousands of forested villages and bustling cities. Its rapidly growing economy supplies the world with natural gas, nickel and other commodities that power industries and everyday lives.

Nature is at the heart of its wealth. Indonesia’s tropical rainforests are some of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Mangroves shield coastal communities from storms and support fisheries. Vast peatlands lock away enormous stores of carbon. Together, these ecosystems provide food, water, jobs and protection for millions of Indonesians while curbing global climate change.

Yet Indonesia’s rapid development endangers the very resources on which it depends.

Agriculture and mining increasingly threaten healthy ecosystems. WRI research shows that Indonesia’s forests now release more carbon than they store, largely due to deforestation from agricultural expansion. Cities are growing faster than infrastructure can keep up, leaving many families without safe or affordable housing. Meanwhile, industries continue to rely on coal power that coats cities in air pollution and fuels climate change.

The impacts are unequal. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities — among the world’s most effective environmental stewards — are losing access to their ancestral lands. Poorer communities are disproportionately exposed to floods, extreme heat and other escalating climate impacts. 

There’s a better way — one where people, nature and the climate can thrive.

Indonesia’s national government has already set its sights on a green growth trajectory, aiming to increase GDP by 8% while cutting emissions up to 43% by 2030. It’s also committed to an ambitious target for the forestry and land-use sector to become a net carbon sink by 2030, meaning it will absorb more carbon than it emits. And cities and provinces are increasingly setting ambitious goals to curb climate change while improving quality of life.

Improving lives while growing economies requires both ambition and systemic change. WRI Indonesia’s mission is to change the way the country produces its food, designs its cities and generates energy to create a better future for all.

We work closely with governments, businesses and communities to turn independent research and data into practical solutions. Our focus is simple but powerful: Help decision-makers take action so people, nature and climate can prosper together.

In cities, we help expand green spaces, reduce air pollution and support affordable housing that can withstand floods, storms and heat. We also help coastal cities adapt to climate impacts such as sea level rise. On land and along coasts, we help communities restore and conserve forests, peatlands and mangroves — natural resources that are essential for ample water, storm protection, livelihoods and more. We aim to improve food security while reducing agriculture’s harmful impacts. This includes helping farmers adopt sustainable and effective practices like agroforestry and reducing food loss and waste. And across the economy, we help industries switch to clean energy, use power more efficiently and promote responsible mineral mining. Revamping the energy system allows businesses to grow while saving money, building resilience and reducing pollution.

Together, these projects help secure Indonesia’s green transition while ensuring its benefits are shared fairly.

Our five-year strategy (2025-2032) builds on over a decade of progress. Learn more about our work to secure prosperity for people, nature and the climate.

Download WRI Indonesia's Five-Year Strategy