WRI Indonesia is supporting the government of West Sumatra in the development of its Regional Low Carbon Development Plan, an effort aimed at achieving net zero emissions at the provincial level. The collaboration was formally launched in Padang in November 2025, bringing together stakeholders from the national level, including (Bappenas), alongside provincial and city and regency government agencies, development partners, academics, and members of the media. The work has since continued through a series of activities, including a cross sectoral focus group discussion among local government agencies to support data collection and coordination.

West Sumatra Province boasts an abundance of natural resources, including vast forests that are crucial for the livelihoods of its inhabitants. However, the province is also vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly frequent hydrometeorological disasters, which highlights the need for robust mitigation and adaptation efforts. Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah is ambitious to make West Sumatra a pioneering Green Province in Indonesia by 2026. The development of the RPRKD could provide a solid basis for achieving this goal.

This collaboration is expected to align development agendas with climate targets through a system dynamics approach. It will also support the reporting, monitoring, and evaluation of climate change mitigation actions, all directed toward the shared goal of achieving net zero emissions at the provincial level.