Instead, COP30 has revealed another subpar performance from the Indonesian delegation on climate issues in Belém, with members of the contingent strenuously promoting what experts and activists call “false” climate solutions.

During the opening ceremony of the Indonesian Pavilion at COP30, the delegation’s chair Hashim Djojohadikusumo, a tycoon with extensive interests in mining and agribusiness, and brother of President Prabowo Subianto, promoted a vision of making Indonesia a global center for a “high-integrity” carbon market. He also announced a goal of US$7.7 billion revenue from carbon trading.

On the surface, carbon trading mechanisms may look useful to help protect forests, as the tradable carbon credit depends on forested areas that work well in absorbing emissions and regulating climate. However, such a market-based solution is often inequitable for indigenous communities, whose work to preserve the environment is rarely compensated fairly. Some carbon forest projects have led to conflicts as their land overlaps with areas where these people live.

Hashim’s promotion of carbon trading at COP30 is just another example of the government prioritizing short-term profit over addressing the actual crisis, an environmental predicament exacerbated by emissions from fossil fuels and deforestation for so-called strategic projects.

However, the unconvincing display at COP30 should not be a surprise. Indonesia has already demonstrated an inadequate commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in its latest climate pledge submitted to the UN, known as the nationally determined contribution (NDC).

The latest NDC, which was finally submitted after months of delays and missed deadlines, showed that Indonesia will release more greenhouse gas emissions until 2035. The energy sector is expected to be the main contributor, in line with official documents suggesting the country will continue relying heavily on fossil fuels like coal, rather than demonstrating ambition in expanding renewables. Indonesia’s reliance on fossil fuels is also demonstrated in Brazil, where dozens of COP30 delegation members are known as fossil fuel industry lobbyists.