Dharsono Hartono

Dharsono Hartono is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of PT Rimba Makmur Utama, a prominent Indonesian company focused on environmental conservation. Under his leadership, the company manages the Katingan Mentaya Project, recognized as the world's largest nature-based solution project aimed at carbon emission reduction, generating over 7 million tons of carbon credits annually .23

Education and Early Career

Dharsono Hartono holds a Master’s Degree in Financial Engineering from Cornell University. His professional background includes significant roles at multinational firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and JPMorgan, where he specialized in merger acquisitions and capital raising .24

Achievements and Recognition

Hartono has received numerous accolades for his contributions to sustainability and entrepreneurship:

• Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018.
• Recognized as a Sustainability Pioneer by the World Economic Forum in 2020.
• Awarded the Social Entrepreneurs of the Year by the Schwab Foundation in 2020.
• Winner of the YPO Global Impact Award in 2022 .23

In addition to his role at PT Rimba Makmur Utama, he serves as the Head of the Permanent Committee on Climate Change for the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and is involved with various initiatives focused on sustainable development and climate action .34

Company Overview

PT Rimba Makmur Utama was established in 2007 with a mission to protect and restore a vast area of peat swamp forest spanning approximately 157,875 hectares in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The Katingan Mentaya Project not only aims to combat climate change but also seeks to provide sustainable economic opportunities for local communities .13 The project emphasizes a transparent and results-oriented approach to land use and conservation, making it a model for similar initiatives globally .34