On 16-17 May 2025, Climate Promise UNDP and The Ministry of Forestry organized Journalist Workshop on Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030. In this occasion, 22 media outlets across Jakarta gathered in Manggala Wanabhakti in Jakarta and Rumpin Nursery in Bogor to learn about Indonesia’s initiative of Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030, its implementation and the role of journalist for supporting the government’s climate program. 

On this two-day workshop, journalists learnt about Indonesia’s commitment on achieving its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target through Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 Initiative, how to communicate climate change, inclusive climate communications and the role of journalists in raising awareness about climate change. Journalists had the chance to ask pressing questions and engage with high-official persons from The Ministry of Forestry, UNDP personnels, academicians, and other key actors, such as a youth representative and administrators from Rumpin Nursery in Bogor. The goal of this workshop was to strengthen the role of journalists to become active partners in communicating the Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 agenda effectively and responsibly.

During her presentation at the Rumpin Nursery, Nabilla Rahmani, Head of Communications at UNDP Indonesia, encouraged journalists to tell richer, more inclusive climate stories, ones that spotlight the often-overlooked leadership of women and youth in tackling the climate crisis. She urged the media to shift the narrative: instead of portraying these groups solely as victims of climate change, we must recognize and amplify their roles as changemakers driving the FOLU Net Sink 2030 initiative forward.“We can harness gender-based data to understand how climate change uniquely impacts women, and more importantly, how they respond and adapt,” Nabilla explained. “Such data can guide gender-responsive policies that ensure no one is left behind in our climate action efforts.”

The workshop inspires Femi Diah, one of the participants, to write more inclusive climate action stories.

“I hope that we [journalists] can get regular classes and discussions with experts about Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink and how women can play a role to contribute to it,” she said. 

At the Rumpin Nursery, the journalists had the opportunity to see firsthand how high-tech machinery is used in the seedling process, an essential step in large-scale forest rehabilitation. In this occasion, they could learn about the importance of forest rehabilitation in facilitating the absorption of carbon emissions and witnessed real-life mitigation actions and Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 contribution beyond theory.  It also demonstrated that nature-based climate solutions are being implemented with clear intent and commitment to achieve Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 targets.

For Hendrawan, one of the workshop participants, the visit offered new insights into how the forestry sector contributes to climate mitigation under Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030. He claimed that the technical explanation on the field, from sterilisation cocopeat process to seed production in large scale at Rumpin Nursery, opened his eyes that the environment restoration requires scientific approach, and must be measurable and systematic.

“Aside from that, a statement that journalists are a part of ecosystem of solution reminds me of the importance of my work, that journalism isn’t about delivering information, but also build a collective awareness to create a change,” he said. 

Krisdianto, Head of the Ministry of Forestry Public Relations and Foreign Cooperation Bureau, addressed that good news is not just about presenting facts, but also how those facts can inspire hope. 

"Through accurate, balanced, and constructive reporting, the media plays an important role in ensuring Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 agenda is not only understood, but also embraced by the public," he announced. 

The workshop marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between the government of Indonesia, UNDP and the media to support the climate agenda in Indonesia. 

Journalist Workshop on Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink is organized by the Bureau of Public Relations and Foreign Cooperation of the Ministry of Forestry, supported by the Climate Promise UNDP Initiative. Its aim is to strengthen journalists' understanding of the Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 agenda and encourage active media involvement in supporting national climate action.