• Pilot Natural Capital Project

    in Pulau Bintan

    Location: Pulau Bintan, Indonesia

    Pilot Scale: 100 ha

    Ecosystem Type: Tropical Rainforest (Restoration)

    Project Design Team: AECOM HK, SG

    Verification Team: CMA Testing

  • Project Outline

    In 2024, AECOM was commissioned to establish a pilot project in Bintan Island, Indonesia. Inspired by the successful Natural Capital Laboratory in Scotland, this pilot project aims to localize a cutting-edge methodology for restoring forest while harnessing the power of digital tools and communicating ecological progress through key natural capital data. Furthermore, we will be utilizing the data to facilitate commercial partnerships and new market mechanisms to address the global nature emergency.

  • UN Sustainable Development Goals

    Our initiatives are strategically aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to ensure measurable global impact.

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  • Project Stages

    The pilot project entails a sustained commitment to the site, which presently holds development rights for 25 years.

    Any extension of this initiative will be contingent upon the outcomes and momentum garnered during this pilot phase.

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    Stage 1

    Pilot Design and Initial Implementation including a comprehensive baseline and projection report & a robust implementation strategy.

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    Stage 2

    Full Habitat Improvement and Digital Monitoring Implementation Rollout (potential sub-stages dependent on project budgetary considerations).

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    Stage 3

    Digital Monitoring, Habitat Management and Maintenance. All progress are synchronized in real-time to the project dashboard .

  • Current stage outline | Stage 1

    Pilot Design and Initial Implementation

    Stage 1 of the pilot project is dedicated to formulating a comprehensive baseline and projection report concerning the Natural Capital Index, meticulously evaluating the five Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) vital for sustainable ecosystem management.

    This foundational analysis will pave the way for the development of a robust implementation strategy aimed at habitat restoration. Furthermore, as a strategic imperative, this stage aims to integrate selective advanced and quick implementation initiatives to swiftly catalyze positive impacts within the ecosystem, setting the stage for the commencement of full-scale habitat restoration works in Stage 2.

    Milestone & Deliverables

    1

    Desktop Research and Site Survey

    Completed

    2

    Establish natural capital baseline and projection data for the pilot site

    Completed

    3

    Develop Restoration Implementation and Management Strategy

    In progress

    4

    Local Stakeholders’ Engagement

    In progress

    5

    Initial Implementation

    Pending

  • Project Details

  • Project Details

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    The 100-hectare pilot project in the southeast coast of Pulau Bintan, part of Indonesia's Riau Archipelago, aims to restore habitats lost due to land use change over the years.

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    The area, once covered in tropical rainforest, now presents a mix of scrublands and some forest habitats, facing pressures like tree felling and mineral extraction. Restoration efforts include relieving these pressures and planting dipterocarp trees to accelerate habitat recovery.

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    Current (Baseline) Habitat Types

    The restoration site is predominantly a mosaic of various scrubland types, with some forest habitats. The mature and young secondary forests are located mainly on the eastern fringes, while plantation woodlands are found to the north, near villages.

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    Existing Rare Wildlife

    Using data collected from camera traps, walkover surveys, and bioacoustic recordings, a repository of fauna species present on site was established. In total, 34 fauna species were recorded, including 2 endangered species and 6 species listed in the CITES Appendices.

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    Target (Projected) Habitat Types

    As grasslands turn into forests, a greater variety of flora and fauna will thrive. With the establishment of more mature forests, there will be greater carbon sequestration, cleaner air and water, as the forests become richer in biodiversity, and healthier, their ecosystem performance will improve.

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    Natural Capital Index - Uplift Projection

    Assessing true nature recovery involves a holistic approach, monitoring ecosystem services through natural capital accounting. Five key metrics form the Natural Capital Index, tracking soil, life, water, air, and climate regulation uplift over a 30-year period. Baselines were established using digital devices and field surveys, with data displayed in a digital twin for stakeholder engagement.

    Artistic Impression of Habitat Succession

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  • Habitat Gallery

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  • The project's transparency aids potential commercialization, aligning with financial institutions and FinTech for sustainable outcomes. Nature's benefits as an asset extend to revenue generation through improved ecosystem services, fostering agroforestry, eco-tourism, and partnerships. Emphasizing biodiversity aligns with evolving reporting standards, positioning nature gains as integral to sustainable business practices. The pilot project seeks to pioneer nature as a new asset class, urging businesses to value and preserve nature for a resilient future.

    For more project details, click the button below to view the data-on-chain and dashboard.

  • Project Log

    10.2025

    Ecological data successfully recorded on-chain, marking Asia’s first milestone for verifiable, immutable nature-impact ledger.

    06.2025

    Project ecological data officially launched on the dashboard, providing interactive visualization and insights into ecosystem performance.

    05.2025

    Issuance of Pulau Bintan, Indonesia, Natural Capital Pilot Project – Natural Capital Baseline Findings and Projection Report, Version 1.0

    03.2025

    Participation (presentation and panel discussion as a project case study) in the International Climate and Biodiversity Conference: Nature-based Solutions in Action, co-organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA) and the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) Asia Pacific Region (APR)

    02.2025

    Release of the Initial Pulau Bintan, Indonesia, Natural Capital Pilot Project – Natural Capital Baseline Findings and Projection Report, Version 0.1

    01.2025

    Participation (panel discussion as a project case study) in the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Climate Conference, co-organised by The Nature Conservancy and Civic Exchange HK

    09.2024

    Participation (as a project case study) in ReThink 2024, Hong Kong’s leading Sustainable Business Forum and Solutions EXPO

    09.2024

    On-site ecological and natural capital survey conducted by the AECOM team

    06.2024

    Project commencement