Decarbonomics Center UNU Jogja and PT Inovasi Karbon Klinik Initiate Establishment of Pesantren Decarbonization Hub

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – The Decarbonomics Center of Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), in collaboration with PT Inovasi Karbon Klinik (Clinovate), has initiated the development of the Pesantren Decarbonization Hub as a pesantren-based decarbonization implementation model. The initiative is expected to become a national pilot project in supporting Indonesia’s transition toward low-carbon development, Friday on June 19.

The concept emerged during a collaboration implementation workshop between the two institutions, held as a follow-up to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between UNU Jogja through its Decarbonomics Center and PT Inovasi Karbon Klinik (Clinovate). The workshop served as a discussion forum to design strategic collaborative programs that can be implemented in the near term.

The event involved lecturers from four study programs: Agricultural Product Technology and Agribusiness under the Faculty of Halal Industry, as well as Informatics Engineering and Electrical Engineering under the Faculty of Information Technology.

“Going forward, the implementation of this collaboration will also involve various faculties, study programs, research centers, and community service networks within UNU Jogja, in accordance with their respective needs and competencies,” said Tri Susdinarjanti, Director of the Decarbonomics Center UNU Jogja.

Pesantren Decarbonization Hub to Drive Integration of Education, Innovation, and Real Action for Low-Carbon Transition in Pesantren

During the discussion, one of the flagship programs identified was the Pesantren Decarbonization Hub, a decarbonization implementation model that positions pesantren as centers of education, innovation, and real action in addressing climate change challenges.

The program is designed to integrate various sustainability initiatives within pesantren, including carbon footprint measurement, small-scale biochar installation, biomass waste management, smart agriculture implementation, renewable energy adoption, development of a digital Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system, carbon monitoring dashboards, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, as well as climate change education for students (santri).

As an initial step, implementation will focus on selected pilot pesantren to ensure that environmental, social, and economic impacts can be optimally measured before being replicated to other regions.

“Through this approach, pesantren are expected not only to serve as centers of religious education, but also as drivers of transformation toward a more adaptive and sustainable society,” said Didien.

Green Santri Program Developed to Produce Environmental Change Agents Based on Carbon Literacy and Climate Education

In addition to the Pesantren Decarbonization Hub, the workshop also identified opportunities to develop the Green Santri Program, aimed at producing santri as environmental change agents.

The program includes carbon literacy, climate change education, renewable energy training, biochar development, environmental campaigns, and the establishment of Green Ambassador Santri.

Integration of Decarbonomics into Curriculum and Professional Certification Strengthening

In the education sector, the collaboration also focuses on integrating decarbonomics materials into various study programs. Topics such as carbon accounting, energy audit, ESG, MRV, biochar technology, and carbon project development are expected to enhance student competencies through practical experience, real project involvement, Graduate Competency Certification (SKPI), and opportunities for industry-recognized professional certification.

Both parties also explore joint training and certification programs in Carbon Footprint Assessment, Energy Audit, Carbon Accounting, ESG, MRV, and decarbonization. The development of professional certification schemes in collaboration with BNSP or LSP is also considered a strategic step to improve graduate competitiveness.

Research and Innovation Collaboration Focused on Real Solutions

On the research side, several potential topics were identified for joint development, including biochar, smart agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, carbon removal, digital MRV, Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring, artificial intelligence (AI) for environmental management, and carbon data analytics. The results are expected not only to be published academically but also implemented as real solutions in society.

Alfonsus Arista Tefa, CEO of PT Inovasi Karbon Klinik (Clinovate), stated that the collaboration with UNU Jogja has strong potential as both parties have complementary competencies. However, initial implementation should focus on pilot programs with measurable impact indicators and opportunities for funding support from CSR, government, and international donors.

Through this collaboration, both institutions hope to establish a partnership model between universities and industry that produces not only research, but also services, products, certification systems, sustainable business models, and evidence-based policy recommendations.

Didien also emphasized that the Pesantren Decarbonization Hub is expected to demonstrate the strategic role of pesantren in addressing climate change challenges. With strong religious values, a spirit of mutual cooperation, and support from innovation and technology, pesantren have the potential to become centers of decarbonization solutions that bring real benefits to society and the environment.

“Hopefully, this joint effort will bring blessings, wide-ranging benefits, and become a real contribution of UNU Jogja as a campus in Yogyakarta that is serious about driving the transition toward low-carbon development through collaboration, research, and community empowerment, together with PT Inovasi Karbon Klinik (Clinovate), in creating a greener, more resilient, and sustainable future,” Didien concluded. [Latifah]