Jakarta, 23 September 2022 | The Secretariat of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy Southeast Asia (GCoM SEA) spoke at the annual event organised by the European Union in Indonesia, called the EU Climate Diplomacy Week (EU CDW) 2022. Bringing up the concept of a talk show with the topic, “Future Proof Cities: EU-Indonesia Smart Green Cities Partnerships & Citizen-led Initiative for Pollution Control,” the EU CDW 2022 convened six panelists from the EU-funded projects, including from the GCoM SEA Secretariat. The event was held on Friday, 23 September 2022 in M-Bloc Space, Jakarta, in a hybrid format.
The talk show on Future Proof Cities and Citizen-Led Initiatives for Pollution Control was part of a One-Day Conference that featured a variety of events, including a talk show on the celebration of EU-Indonesia partnerships for green transition in the energy sector, Youth Climate Pitch, and music concert with Endah n Rhesa. The EU and Indonesia have been working together to combat pollution and promote climate action in Indonesian cities. The panellists shared their insights on the role of inter-country and city partnerships in addressing these issues.
Dini Laraswati highlighted the International Urban Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme, which facilitates the exchange of information between European and Indonesian cities to help Indonesian cities learn about innovative practices and methodologies implemented by European cities. The programme involves collaboration between city governments, communities, and universities. For example, Semarang, Indonesia is working with Sofia, Bulgaria to learn about urban mobility systems and how they can be connected to air quality. The government is also installing air quality monitoring equipment and working with universities to analyse and process data into policy recommendations.
Hizbullah Arief shared the work of Climate Resilient and Inclusive Cities (CRIC) of UCLG ASPAC, which involves 10 pilot cities and 3 European regions to collaborate and find solutions to climate change in Indonesia. CRIC is dedicated to encouraging cities to contribute to the achievement of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with the support of the government and international assistance. One of the pilot cities, Cirebon, is developing a waste management solution, while other cities are implementing solutions, such as early warning systems and green transport.
Rona Ikram Putri, representing the GCoM SEA Secretariat hosted by UCLG ASPAC, shared the Secretariat’s efforts in Southeast Asia. GCoM per se is a global alliance made up of over 12,000 cities worldwide that are committed to tackling climate change and has 31 signatories in Indonesia. GCoM SEA focuses on four areas: climate action plan development, capacity building, and city-to-city exchange. This includes developing climate action plans in four pilot cities, namely Tangerang, Pontianak, Medan, and North Minahasa, as well as providing capacity building on climate change adaptation and mitigation to cities in Indonesia through national training.
Yuyun Ismawati, Country Representative of Nexus3, discussed the project’s efforts to promote transparency in pollution control in Indonesia. Working in partnership with the Arnika Association from the Czech Republic, an expert in chemicals and waste, Nexus3 addresses both local and global issues related to pollution.
As the CEO of Nafas, Nathan Roestandy has made it his mission to improve the air quality in Indonesia and increase public awareness about the issue. Nafas is a company that specialises in air quality and works to educate and inform the public about the importance of clean air. Through its efforts, Nafas aims to expand access to information about air quality in Indonesia and help people understand the impacts of pollution on their health and the environment. With a focus on promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility, Nafas is dedicated to making a positive impact in their community and beyond.
Anindya Dwi Wulandary, Project Manager of Rethinking Plastics, shared that the project aims to reduce the use of non-useful plastics and increase understanding of the impact of plastics on the environment. The project includes policy dialogue with government agencies, activities with non-profit organisations in Indonesia, and pilot projects in schools, markets, and port areas. It also includes local capacity building, screening, and monitoring in several cities in Java, Kalimantan, and Sorong Papua.
The conference concluded with a panel discussion and Q&A session with all speakers. The EU-Indonesia partnership for climate action and pollution control is crucial in addressing the negative impacts of global warming on the environment. These initiatives and programmes provide valuable opportunities for cities and local governments and other stakeholders to learn from one another and work towards a more sustainable future.
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Written by: Naura Hasna Farhatani
Reviewed by: Rona Ikram Putri
