Harmonizing Forest Conservation and Culture: The Role of Regenerative Tourism in Achieving FoLU Net Sink Targets 2030

December 17, 2024
a group of people standing in front of a store
Photo by: Samsara Living Museum

Karangasem, 9 December 2024 - Bali, celebrated for its natural beauty and vibrant culture, holds great potential to enhance carbon sinks and reduce emissions. Aiming to advance Indonesia’s 2030 Forest and Other Land Uses (FOLU) Net Sink targets, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Indonesia, in collaboration with Samsara Living Museum, hosted a two-day workshop titled "Harmonizing Forest Conservation and Culture: Unlocking FOLU Net Sink Target 2030" at Samsara Living Museum in Karangasem, Bali, on 6 and 8 December 2024.

The event brought together national leaders, including Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry Mr. Raja Juli Antoni, Deputy Minister of Culture Mr. Giring Ganesha Djumaryo, and Presidential Special Envoy for Tourism Ms. Zita Anjani. Participants from diverse sectors—youth leaders, local communities, and key stakeholders from national to local levels—engaged in meaningful discussions about leveraging Bali’s cultural heritage and natural resources to promote regenerative tourism and support Indonesia’s climate commitments.

"Community empowerment is crucial to achieving our 2030 Net Sink target. Through the Social Forestry Program, including Customary Forests, we recognize that communities are essential partners in climate change adaptation and mitigation. Local communities possess deep, intrinsic knowledge of natural resource management, and our approach views humans as integral to nature's preservation and sustainability," said Minister of Forestry Mr. Raja Juli Antoni.

"The success of community-led forest management in Indonesia is an example of best practice that is recognized globally," he added.

Regenerative Tourism: A Path to Sustainable Conservation
As Bali looks to balance tourism and environmental preservation, the workshop highlighted the Tri Hita Karana philosophy—a traditional Balinese concept emphasizing harmony among humans, nature, and spirituality—as a guiding principle for regenerative tourism. It is an approach to travel that not only actively restores and improves ecosystems but also uplifts local communities through sustainable practices.

A collaboration between the Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism, and the local community in Bali, supported by UNDP, introduced the concept of a "living museum" to the broader Indonesian public. This initiative showcases real-life practices that align with achieving the FOLU Net Sink targets.

The living museum creates a dynamic and interactive space where natural resources, ecosystems, and cultural heritage are not only preserved but also actively managed and celebrated in their natural settings. It provides an engaging environment where visitors, locals, researchers, and businesses can participate in activities such as reforestation, biodiversity monitoring, and sustainable land management. The event took place at the Samsara Living Museum in Karangasem Regency, highlighting one of many similar community-led initiatives across Indonesia that embody this innovative approach.

“Incorporating culture-based tourism into conservation strategies is critical to achieving Indonesia's FOLU Net Sink targets by 2030,” said Mr. Giring Ganesha Djumaryo, Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Culture. “Living museums can serve as bridges of information, raising environmental awareness while fostering community empowerment.”

a group of people posing for the camera
Photo by: Samsara Living Museum

UNDP and Climate Action
The UNDP Indonesia Climate Promise program is committed to supporting the Government of Indonesia in strengthening the capacity of local governments and communities to achieve Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets. By integrating sustainability principles into key economic sectors such as tourism, the program fosters innovative approaches that support carbon sequestration while promoting environmental preservation. 

“Through its regenerative tourism efforts, UNDP demonstrates how the integration of culture and community can enhance forest conservation and boost carbon sequestration, aligning with Indonesia’s climate commitments under the Climate Promise program,” said Mr. Norimasa Shimomura, Resident Representative of UNDP Indonesia. “The active participation of leaders and community members in today’s event highlights a collective commitment to advancing conservation efforts, ensuring a sustainable future for Indonesia’s forests, and the achievement of SDG 13 (Climate Action),” he added.

This initiative reflects UNDP’s broader mission to support innovative, community-driven solutions that balance economic growth with environmental responsibility, helping Indonesia become a global leader in climate action.


About UNDP 
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations to build integrated, sustainable solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at www.undp.org/Indonesia or follow at @undpindonesia

Media Contacts 

Nabilla Rahmani 
Head of Communication, UNDP Indonesia
Nabilla.rahmani@undp.org