ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia has launched the Ocean Calculator, a science-based geospatial platform that quantifies the economic value of marine and coastal ecosystems, marking a significant step toward integrating natural capital accounting into national development planning and advancing the country’s Blue Economy strategy.
Developed by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in collaboration with World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia, the platform combines satellite imagery, geospatial analysis, scientific research, and ocean accounting methodologies to estimate the economic contribution of mangroves, seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and other coastal ecosystems.
The Ocean Calculator measures ecosystem services, including coastal protection, blue carbon storage, fisheries productivity, biodiversity conservation, and community livelihoods. By translating environmental assets into measurable economic values, the platform provides governments, investors, businesses, researchers, and development partners with an evidence-based foundation for policymaking, conservation planning, climate action, and sustainable coastal investment.
The initiative was developed through collaboration between Indonesian and Australian universities with support from the Australian Government under the KONEKSI partnership program. Following pilot implementation in early 2026, the platform has been integrated into Indonesia’s marine conservation information system, expanding public access to environmental data and strengthening evidence-based ocean governance.
The platform also incorporates Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) indicators, enabling policymakers to better assess how environmental change affects coastal communities while supporting more inclusive and equitable development outcomes.
The launch reflects Indonesia’s broader effort to embed scientific evidence and natural capital accounting into marine governance, reinforcing policies that seek to balance economic growth, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.
As the world’s largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia is strengthening its use of marine natural capital to support sustainable investment, enhance coastal resilience, and promote long-term economic development under its Blue Economy agenda. (AT Network)
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