The Carbon AKAR Project was officially launched at the Serasa Fish Market Area, marking the start of a 10-year mangrove restoration programme that connects climate action, community livelihoods, technology and Brunei’s future blue economy.
Hosted by Poni Foundation with support from Poni Group and ASTARI, the launch as part of Ocean Week Brunei 2026, held in conjunction with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition, MYCE 2026. The event was graced by Guest of Honour, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
A total of 40 mangrove plants were planted during the launch, with over 60 participants taking part. The event brought together government agencies, industry partners, technology partners, community members, youth, volunteers and conservation stakeholders in support of Brunei’s first community-led mangrove restoration project.
The Carbon AKAR Project is designed to help companies measure their greenhouse gas emissions and take climate action by supporting mangrove restoration. The project also aims to create community income by training local villagers to grow, plant and monitor mangroves, with part of project revenue channelled back to the community. The first year of this 10 year programme aims to plant up to 700 mangrove trees.
In his speech, Mohd Tahsin Wong Abdullah, Chairman of Poni Foundation and Chief Executive Officer of Poni Group, said the idea for Carbon AKAR began many years ago from his experience bringing visitors through Brunei’s mangroves around Kampong Ayer. He said the project was developed to make blue carbon, ESG and sustainability more practical by creating a model that can fund restoration, support community jobs and help companies take verifiable climate action.
He added that Carbon AKAR started from a practical approach: planting mangroves, creating community jobs and beginning with simple emissions measurement. Serasa was selected with support from the Department of Fisheries as a practical demonstration site, with future plans to connect mangrove restoration with oysters that can naturally help improve water quality.
The project is supported by Lead Partner Brunei Gas Carriers, BGC. In her welcoming remarks, Acting Managing Director Koh Hui Ling said BGC’s involvement reflects its commitment to environmental stewardship as a shipowner and operator of LNG carriers. She said the project aligns with BGC’s ESG priorities, particularly climate action, biodiversity protection and community engagement, while recognising mangroves as natural coastal defences and powerful carbon sinks.
Technology Partner Jejakin also highlighted the importance of long-term measurement and transparency. Its Chief Growth Officer and Co-Founder, Sudono Salim, said Carbon AKAR is the first project Jejakin has brought to life outside Indonesia. Jejakin has planted nearly 2 million trees through their platform. He said technology would help ensure the project moves beyond ceremonial planting by turning restoration into trusted data through satellite imagery, geotagged field data and artificial intelligence to monitor mangrove survival, growth and carbon capture over time.
The project will also explore how mangroves and oysters can work together to improve water quality near aquaculture areas, support healthier marine ecosystems and create future opportunities for sustainable aquaculture. Over time, Carbon AKAR aims to support Brunei’s development of nature-based climate solutions, blue carbon frameworks, sustainable tourism and future pathways for lower carbon exports like methanol, LNG, downstream oil & gas products and even aviation.
Mohd Tahsin also thanked the project partners for making the launch possible, including Lead Partner Brunei Gas Carriers; pilot partners Armada Properties, Brunei Methanol Company, Panaga Natural History Society and Panaga Club; site partners Jets Sdn Bhd and Helif Aquaculture; Technology Partner Jejakin; and Knowledge Partner Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society. He also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Forestry Department, Department of Fisheries, the Serasa and Muara community and supporting government agencies.
The Carbon AKAR Project is positioned as one of the three blue economy pilots launched under Ocean Week Brunei, showing how conservation can also support jobs, technology adoption, industry participation and long-term national value. Through continued collaboration, the project aims to build a growing network of companies, communities, researchers and volunteers working together to protect Brunei’s coastal ecosystems while creating practical pathways for climate action and community livelihoods.
Members of the public, schools, youth groups, researchers, industry partners and organisations interested in ocean sustainability are encouraged to support Carbon AKAR by volunteering, partnering or reaching out to explore ways to contribute. The project is continuing to look for partners & sponsors to scale up their restoration work and will also open opportunities to individuals in the public to also contribute to climate action like mangrove planting through crowdfunding digital apps.