Indonesia plans to sell 13.4 billion tonnes of carbon-dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) credits to global buyers. This is one of the biggest carbon market plans in the world. The government says the move could bring in billions of dollars in investment while helping the country meet its climate goals.

The forestry minister’s announcement comes as more countries and companies look to buy verified carbon credits to offset emissions. Experts estimate the global carbon market could grow to $35 billion by 2030, more than five times its current size. With its large forests and renewable energy projects, Indonesia could become a major supplier of these credits.

Building a Global Carbon Market

The 13.4 billion tonnes of CO₂e credits will come from projects that cut or remove carbon emissions. These include forest protection, peatland restoration, renewable energy, and carbon capture programs.

Indonesia has about 125 million hectares of tropical forest, which absorbs over 25 billion tonnes of CO₂e every year. The government sees carbon trading as a way to earn money while protecting the environment.

Officials say this plan could create tens of thousands of green jobs. It will also attract private funding for conservation and clean energy projects.

The credits will be traded through Indonesia’s national carbon registry, the Sistem Registri Nasional (SRN). This system tracks emissions and removals across industries and projects.

The Rise of Carbon Trading at Home

Indonesia launched its own carbon exchange in 2023 through the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). During its first year, it traded about 500,000 tonnes of CO₂e, worth around $5 million.

By 2024, the country had registered more than 2,000 carbon projects, covering areas like energy, forestry, and manufacturing. The government also started a carbon-pricing system for power plants. Large emitters must now report their emissions and offset some of them through credits.

In 2025, Indonesia reopened carbon trading with other countries under new rules aligned with the Paris Agreement. These rules prevent double-counting of emission cuts and make trading more transparent.

However, local carbon prices remain lower than international ones. Indonesia’s credits often sell for under $20 per tonne, while high-quality global credits range from $40 to $80 per tonne. Officials hope international demand will help raise prices closer to global levels.

• SEE MORE: $65 Billion Green Fund from Carbon Credits Sale? Says Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subianto

The Economic and Climate Impact

If Indonesia sells all 13.4 billion tonnes of credits, they could be worth between $130 billion and $670 billion, depending on the market price. Even selling a fraction of this amount would make Indonesia one of the world’s biggest carbon credit exporters.

The program supports the country’s pledge to cut emissions by almost 32% on its own or 43% with global support by 2030. Indonesia also aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2060.

Moreover, the country aims to cut emissions by up to 43% by 2030 with international support. Indonesia’s forests and peatlands store large amounts of carbon; protecting them and trading carbon credits can turn this natural resource into income.

At the same time, the country still burns coal for much of its power, so these credits help raise funds for cleaner energy. Revenue from carbon credit sales will support:

• Forest protection: Deforestation, which once exceeded 1 million hectares per year, has already declined and could fall further.
• Renewable energy projects: Solar, hydro, and geothermal sources now supply about 14% of Indonesia’s power.
• Local communities: Landowners who protect forests and wetlands will earn income instead of clearing them for crops.

These projects link environmental goals with economic growth. They help rural areas gain from the green economy. The Southeast Asian nation has the following pillars in cutting emissions. 

Big Buyers, Bigger Ambitions

Many large companies are eager to buy reliable carbon credits. Firms like Microsoft, Shell, and Delta Air Lines have pledged to offset emissions through verified carbon projects.

According to BloombergNEF, demand for nature-based credits could rise from 165 million tonnes in 2024 to over 1 billion tonnes by 2030. If Indonesia supplies even 10% of that, it could sell 100 million tonnes each year and earn around $5 billion annually at moderate prices.

Indonesia’s participation will also help balance global supply, which currently depends mostly on Latin America and Africa. A more diverse carbon market could make prices fairer and more stable worldwide.

Per Sylvera’s report, nature-based credits (ARR) price hit a record high in late 2025.  The report shows that buyers are looking for projects that have a verified impact and deliver real results.

Challenges and Verification

Indonesia’s plan faces some key challenges. Experts warn that buyers need strong proof that credits represent real, lasting carbon reductions.

The government is working with certification bodies such as Verra and Gold Standard to verify projects and meet international standards. It will also use digital systems to track every project and transaction.

Some environmental groups worry about “reversal risk.” This happens when forest-based carbon savings are lost later through fires or illegal logging. To prevent this, Indonesia plans to set up a buffer system — keeping some credits in reserve in case of future losses.

The country will also use “corresponding adjustment” rules to ensure every exported credit is subtracted from Indonesia’s national inventory. This keeps its reporting aligned with global accounting standards.

• RELATED: What’s Next for Forest Carbon Credits? This UK Climate Tech Startup is Boosting Trust with Real-Time Data

Asia’s Race for Carbon Leadership

The International Energy Agency (IEA) says the world needs to remove or offset 5 to 10 billion tonnes of CO₂ each year by 2050 to meet climate targets. At present, global carbon markets cover less than 1% of that need.

Countries like Indonesia can help fill this gap. The World Bank estimates Southeast Asia could earn $10 billion a year from carbon trading by 2030 if systems are transparent and credible.

Countries like Vietnam and Malaysia are also creating carbon registries. They might open their markets to foreign buyers soon.

Carbon credit exports could make Indonesia a leader in the global green economy. The country could use this income to fund renewable energy, restore ecosystems, and support local livelihoods.

Under government rules, at least 30% of carbon credit revenue must go to local communities and regional governments. This helps support reforestation, sustainable farming, and eco-tourism.

If the plan works, experts say Indonesia could cut up to 2 billion tonnes of CO₂e by 2030. That’s like taking 400 million cars off the road for a whole year.

Promise and Proof: Making Every Credit Count

Indonesia’s offer to sell 13.4 billion carbon credits shows how climate policy and economic growth can work together. The opportunity is huge, but success will depend on strong verification, fair pricing, and transparent reporting.

If done right, the plan could turn Indonesia into one of the top players in the global carbon market. It could also help meet global climate goals while bringing new income to rural areas.

As more nations look for trustworthy carbon credits, Indonesia’s forests and renewables could become valuable global assets. The challenge now is to make sure every credit sold represents real, lasting progress for the planet.

• READ MORE: Singapore to Buy $76.4M Worth of Nature-Based Carbon Credits

The post Indonesia Aims to Sell 13.4 Billion Tonnes of Carbon Credits to Global Buyers appeared first on Carbon Credits.

Google announced a major new project: it will support a U.S. power plant outfitted with carbon-capture and storage (CCS) technology. The plant, owned by Broadwing Energy in Decatur, Illinois, will capture about 90% of its CO₂ emissions. The tech giant agreed to buy most of the electricity the plant produces.  

By backing this plant, Google aims to help build a reliable, low-carbon power source for its data centers in the U.S. Midwest. It also hopes to speed up the use of CCS technology globally.

The Science of Trapping Carbon: How CCS Works

CCS stands for carbon capture and storage. It involves three main steps:

• Capture: Pulling CO₂ from a power plant or factory.
• Transport: Moving the CO₂, often via pipelines.
• Store: Injecting the CO₂ deep underground where it can’t escape.

This technology is especially important for power plants that burn natural gas or coal. It is also key for factories in heavy industries, like steel and cement, which produce large emissions.

Global experts such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) say CCS will play a major role in reaching climate goals.

Google’s deal highlights this role. By linking a power plant deal to its own data center needs, the company is showing how big tech can strengthen the clean energy transition.

• SEE MORE: What is Carbon Capture and Storage? Your Ultimate Guide to CCS Technology

Inside Google’s Illinois CCS Project

The Illinois plant will be a natural 5gas power facility built by Broadwing Energy. It will capture up to 90% of the CO₂ it produces. Google will buy the bulk of its electricity output.

The plant is sized at more than 400 megawatts (MW). It will include advanced equipment and a large carbon-capture unit. The deal was announced by Google and infrastructure partner I Squared Capital (through its affiliate Low Carbon Infrastructure).

Google said the project will feed power to its data centers in the region, help reduce emissions, and make clean “firm power” (power available around the clock) more affordable. This is important because many renewable sources like wind and solar have variable output.

Google stated:

“Today we’re excited to announce a first-of-its-kind corporate agreement to support a gas power plant with CCS. Broadwing Energy, located in Decatur, Illinois, will capture and permanently store approximately 90% of its CO2 emissions. We hope it will accelerate the path for CCS technology to become more accessible and affordable globally, helping to increase generating capacity while enabling emission reductions.”

How Big is the CCS Market?

The CCS market has grown rapidly. One estimate values it at $8.6 billion in 2024, with a projected annual rate of 16% through 2034. At that pace, the market could reach $51.5 billion by 2034.

Another estimate places the market size in 2024 at $3.68 billion, with growth to $5.61 billion by 2030. The power generation sector is a major part of the market. One report says 37% of the market was from power generation in 2024.

For data centers and tech companies like Google, CCS offers reliable low-carbon power. Given that global data center emissions may reach 2.5 billion tons of CO₂ through 2030, major tech firms are under pressure to decarbonize.

Experts also project that global CCS capacity will quadruple, reaching around 430 million tonnes of CO₂ per year from today’s 50 million tonnes. Investments of about $80 billion are expected over the next five years. North America and Europe currently lead, holding roughly 80% of growth projects, while China and other regions also scale up.

CCS currently addresses only 6% of the emissions needed for net-zero by mid-century. Experts still see it as key for hard-to-decarbonize industries like cement, steel, and hydrogen production.

Breaking New Ground in Clean Firm Power

This is the first time a major tech company has agreed to buy electricity from a power plant using CCS at this commercial scale in the U.S.

The deal brings several important benefits:

• Google secures “firm” power for its data centers, reducing risks from intermittent renewable supply.
• CCS gives a path to cut emissions from fossil fuel plants rather than shutting them down entirely.
• It creates a business model for future CCS deals, making the technology more accessible and scalable.

For Google, the deal advances its goal of running on clean energy and especially 24/7 carbon-free power by 2030. For the broader industry, it sends a signal that large corporations support CCS and are willing to back it financially.

Hurdles Ahead for Carbon Capture

Despite the promise, CCS still faces hurdles. The upfront cost is high, and many projects require government incentives or strong contracts to make economic sense.

Another challenge is scale. According to a 2024 study, CCS capacity by 2030 may reach only 0.07–0.37 gigatonnes (Gt) CO₂ per year, which is just a small part of what’s needed to meet climate goals.

For Google’s project and others like it to succeed, they will need strong regulation, clear carbon pricing, and reliable storage sites. Also, transparency and long-term monitoring are critical to ensure the CO₂ stays underground.

The Illinois plant is a start. If it runs successfully, it could spawn many more projects in power generation and industry. Corporations, utilities, and governments may replicate the model.

The Big Picture: From Data Centers to Decarbonization

Tech companies are building ever-larger data centers to fuel artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and global connectivity. This drives huge electricity demand. Google’s CCS deal shows one way to manage that demand while cutting carbon.

CCS combined with clean power can help sectors that cannot easily switch to renewables. Power plants that run on natural gas or industries like cement and steel may use CCS to reduce emissions.

For Google, the new deal helps it reach its sustainability targets, supports its data-center operations, and sets an example for other firms. The chart below shows the company’s emission reduction progress. For the climate, it offers a template for building low-carbon power systems at scale.

• SEE MORE: Google Hits $3 Trillion and Stock Surges to All-Time High: What About Its Net-Zero Goals?

Final Thoughts: A Pivotal Moment for Clean Power

Google’s agreement signals a shift: clean, firm power is becoming a business reality, not just a promise. By backing a CCS-enabled gas power plant, Google is aligning business needs with carbon reduction goals.

The global CCS market is expanding fast. Estimates show billions of dollars flowing into the technology. But scaling remains challenging — cost, policy, and geology all play a role.

If the Illinois plant succeeds, it may influence how corporations, utilities, and governments design power systems in the future. It could help unlock CCS as one of the tools in the broader energy transition toolbox.

• READ MORE: Global Investment in CCS Surges Toward $80 Billion as Climate Goals Drive Demand
  

The post Google Invests in First Carbon Capture to Power AI and Cut Emissions appeared first on Carbon Credits.

Bitcoin mining stocks jumped sharply this week after several big companies said they will expand into artificial intelligence (AI). Many miners now plan to use their computers and power systems for AI data centers, not just for Bitcoin.

CleanSpark led the rally after announcing its move into AI. The shift shows how fast the mining industry is changing as companies look for new ways to earn money.

CleanSpark Ignites the Rally

Las Vegas–based CleanSpark saw its shares rise as much as 13% on October 21, 2025. The company said it will build and run data centers made for AI computing, in addition to mining Bitcoin.

CleanSpark also hired Jeffrey Thomas, a veteran with more than 40 years of experience, as Senior Vice President of AI Data Centers. Thomas once led Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion-dollar AI data center program. He has helped create about $12 billion in shareholder value across 19 companies.

Thomas remarked:

“CleanSpark is at a pivotal moment in its journey. Together, we have a tremendous opportunity to deliver exceptional solutions for our customers while creating long-term value for shareholders and positioning CleanSpark at the center of the AI and intelligent computing revolution.”

The company already secured land and extra power in College Park, Georgia, near Atlanta, to build its first AI sites. It is also studying more possible locations in other U.S. states.

The news came as Bitcoin prices climbed back above $110,000, recovering from earlier drops when the price fell from highs above $126,000 in early October.

• SEE MORE: Bitcoin Price Hits All-Time High Above $126K: ETFs, Market Drivers, and the Future of Digital Gold

More Miners Follow the Same Path

CleanSpark is not alone. Many mining companies are now trying to grow beyond Bitcoin. The reason is clear: mining rewards have fallen, and energy costs are rising.

After Bitcoin’s 2024 halving, rewards for miners dropped from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC. This made mining less profitable, pushing companies to look for other income sources.

Companies like Marathon Digital Holdings, Riot Platforms, Canaan, Core Scientific, Bitdeer Technologies, Hut 8, Cipher Mining, and TeraWulf have all announced similar plans. Their stocks also rose:

• Marathon Digital gained 7.97% to $21.13.
• Riot Platforms jumped 11.21% to $22.28.
• Canaan, a hardware maker in China, surged about 28%.

Publicly traded Bitcoin miners raised more than $4.6 billion through loans and convertible notes in late 2024 and early 2025 to fund their AI projects.

The CoinShares Bitcoin Mining ETF, which tracks the sector, has soared 160% this year. Investors are clearly excited about the shift toward AI.

• RELATED: Top 5 Sustainable Bitcoin Mining Companies To Watch Out For

Why Miners Are Betting on AI

The move to AI computing makes sense for miners. They already own powerful hardware, data centers, and energy contracts. These can easily be used for AI instead of crypto.

AI systems need large amounts of electricity and fast processors to train and run models. Bitcoin miners already have this setup. By shifting to AI workloads, they can earn money even when Bitcoin prices are low.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global demand for AI data centers could reach over 1,000 terawatt-hours per year by 2030 — about the same as all of Japan’s electricity use today.

The global AI infrastructure market could be worth $1.3 trillion by 2032, growing around 25% each year. That makes it one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.

For miners, the message is simple: if Bitcoin mining is less profitable, AI computing can fill the gap and create steady revenue.

From Mining Rigs to AI Powerhouses

AI computing and Bitcoin mining use similar technology. Both rely on high-performance processors to handle huge amounts of data.

Miners already operate powerful chips, cooling systems, and strong electricity connections. They can reuse all these to run AI and high-performance computing (HPC) jobs.

CleanSpark plans to build hybrid data centers — some for Bitcoin, others for AI workloads. Likewise, Core Scientific said it will set aside part of its 1.3-gigawatt capacity for AI clients. Other companies are exploring similar plans.

This model could change the industry. Instead of just mining coins, these firms could become “compute providers” — selling power and computing to AI companies, research labs, and cloud platforms.

Investors See Opportunity Beyond Bitcoin

Investors like this new direction. It means miners no longer depend only on Bitcoin’s price swings. They can earn a steady income from long-term contracts with AI firms.

The IEA says global electricity use from data centers could double by 2030, largely because of AI. The U.S. has about 40% of the world’s data center capacity, but new projects face delays due to power and permitting issues.

Bitcoin miners already have access to large power sources. This gives them an edge when building new AI sites. They can repurpose their existing energy deals for AI computing, cutting startup time and costs.

Still, experts warn that running AI data centers is not easy. It needs new software, specialized equipment, and skilled workers. It also takes longer to make a profit compared to Bitcoin mining, which can adjust quickly to market prices.

Energy Use and the ESG Equation

Energy use remains a key concern for both AI and Bitcoin mining. The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance estimates Bitcoin mining uses about 120 terawatt-hours of electricity each year, roughly equal to Argentina’s total use.

Mining companies are trying to improve their environmental impact. CleanSpark says it sources most of its electricity from renewable or low-carbon energy. It plans to apply the same approach to its AI expansion.

Switching to AI could also make mining more efficient. Many AI centers use advanced cooling systems and can run on renewable energy more easily than older mining farms.

This could help miners meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals while supporting the growth of clean digital infrastructure.

A New Era of Digital Infrastructure

The rise of AI has opened a new chapter for Bitcoin miners. What began as a niche focused on crypto now looks more like a digital infrastructure industry that powers AI, data analytics, and renewable energy systems.

If the transition succeeds, mining companies could become important players in the global computing market. They would supply power and servers for everything from AI model training to smart grid management.

For investors, this change offers both opportunity and risk. It provides exposure to two fast-growing industries — crypto and AI — but also depends on how well miners adapt.

Analysts say the key will be execution. Building AI centers takes time and money, and not all miners will succeed. But those who manage the shift well could become leaders in clean, high-tech energy and computing. They will shape the next phase of digital infrastructure — one that connects blockchain, AI, and sustainable power.

• READ MORE: Coinbase Stock (COIN) Rises as Green Crypto and Carbon Credit Tokenization Gain Momentum

The post Bitcoin Mining Stocks Hit New Highs on AI Pivot with CleanSpark Leading the Pack appeared first on Carbon Credits.