Carbon markets can look simple from the outside. There are credits being traded, prices being set, and companies looking for ways to reduce their emissions. Behind them, however, is a much more complex process: ensuring that projects deliver real emission reductions, involve the right stakeholders, and are economically viable.
Indonesia is building an ecosystem around this work. Its domestic carbon market continues to develop, while nature-based, technology-driven, and other low-carbon projects are creating demand for people with a range of skills.
Carbon Youth Week 2026 (CYW 2026), organised by the Indonesia Carbon Trading Association Youth (IDCTA Youth) from September 7–12, looked at this need from the perspective of young people. Rather than simply introducing carbon market terms and mechanisms, the programme took participants from discussions on markets and policy to project simulations and career opportunities.
According to Faiha Azka, Director of COE at IDCTA Youth, CYW was designed as a space for young people to learn while engaging directly with practitioners and other sector stakeholders.
“CYW was conceived as a platform for learning, collaboration, and meaningful exchange, enabling young people to engage with developments across the carbon landscape and the broader nature markets through high-level plenaries and expert technical working sessions, the Carbon Policy Lab, Career Clinic, and Carbon Project Excursion.”
Carbon Credits Start on the Ground
One way to understand the complexity of carbon markets is to look at what happens before a credit reaches the market.
In Muara Angke, Jakarta, 30 CYW participants learned about blue carbon, including how mangrove carbon stocks and sequestration are estimated, before taking part in mangrove restoration and planting. They then developed carbon projects through the Open Market: “Sell the Credit” simulation.
The cases covered different approaches, from REDD+ to carbon removal. Participants had to identify stakeholders, assess the projects’ emission-reduction potential, and consider their business opportunities.
The projects were then presented to other participants acting as carbon buyers. The project that attracted the most buyers received recognition.
The exercise showed that a carbon credit does not simply emerge from a transaction. Measurement, technology, financing, community interests, and business viability all need to be addressed first.
A New Industry, New Talent Needs
The demand for people with cross-disciplinary skills comes as Indonesia’s carbon industry is still at an early stage.
Edwin Hartanto, Head of Carbon Development at IDXCarbon, said this early stage makes the need for human resources even greater. As carbon trading moves toward greater maturity, Indonesia needs more people who understand the industry and can help drive its development.
“Because when we look at the essence of carbon trading itself, it is an industry that is still moving toward maturity. In other words, it is still at an early stage of development. Indonesia still needs a great deal of human resources, and that is what we currently lack.”
The demand also extends beyond jobs that directly carry the word “carbon” in their titles. Climate finance, sustainability consulting, renewable energy, and ESG are also becoming part of the growing low-carbon economy.
Through the Career Clinic, 106 CYW participants were introduced to these fields, while sessions also explored the skills sought by the industry and how to prepare their CVs and professional profiles.
Technical knowledge, meanwhile, needs to go hand in hand with an understanding of governance. In the Article 6 simulation, CYW participants developed policy positions and practised negotiations across the Youth Diplomacy, Climate & Energy, and Innovation & Technology clusters.
Haryo Pambudi, S.Hut., M.Sc., Acting Director of Carbon Economic Value Governance at the Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH), said young people need to be able to connect data, technology, and knowledge with climate action.
“Going forward, Indonesia needs a generation of young people who understand the carbon ecosystem and are able to connect data, technology, and knowledge into meaningful climate action.”
The need for talent is ultimately tied to how Indonesia’s carbon market will develop. As more projects and mechanisms emerge, more people will be needed to connect policy with practice, technology with projects, and emission-reduction targets with measurable results.
This is where youth participation becomes relevant. Young people are not only potential workers in a growing industry, but also part of the generation that will shape Indonesia’s carbon ecosystem as its rules, projects, and mechanisms continue to evolve.
