Carbon recycling: A climate game-changer or costly distraction?

Turning emissions into valuable industrial goods may seem like a climate game-changer, but for Indonesia, carbon recycling is neither a silver bullet nor an affordable solution without proper policy guidance. Reducing emissions while promoting economic growth is a delicate balance that Indonesia must navigate, particularly in sectors reliant on carbon-intensive processes.

Although Indonesia has made progress in developing carbon capture projects, converting captured carbon into useful products is still largely in the experimental phase. Carbon recycling operates differently than traditional carbon storage by attempting to generate economic value from emitted carbon. If implemented wisely, this technology could turn carbon emissions from an environmental burden into an industrial asset.