Jakarta, 30-31 August 2023 | The two-day workshop on “Moving Towards Implementation: Alternative Opportunities for City Level-Climate Action” was held at the AYANA Midplaza Jakarta, Indonesia, from 30 to 31 August 2023. The workshop emphasised two aspects which consist of innovations and technology for climate projects as well as climate finance. It was organised by the United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) as the host of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) Southeast Asia Secretariat. The event was attended by around 117 participants from 22 cities and regencies across Indonesia and guests from various local and international partners.
The workshop revolved around thematic sessions on urban mobility, urban drainage systems, smart cities, and climate finance matters through experience sharing, insights from national-level ministries in Indonesia, and the presentation of resourceful tools for climate funding. The event also included group activities and case studies from cities to provide practical learning and experience.
Opening Session – Welcome Remarks
The opening session of the workshop began with welcoming remarks from three speakers. The first speaker, Ms. Henriette Faergemann, the First Counsellor of Environment, Climate Action, ICT, European Union (EU) Delegation to Indonesia, delivered her remarks to open the workshop. She highlighted GCoM’s importance in forming and supporting global alliances of cities and local governments to fulfill climate action goals through Climate Action Plans (CAPs). To actualise CAPs, Ms. Henriette also pointed out that funding is one of the most prominent challenges. She mentioned that this workshop could help governments and related stakeholders to visualise their CAPs optimally and to ensure partnerships and gather insights regarding climate actions.
Following that, the second speaker, Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary-General of UCLG ASPAC, unveiled the main theme of the workshop as “Moving Towards Implementation: Alternative Opportunities for City Level-Climate Action.” She stressed out that “urgent actions” are needed to handle the effects of climate change as Jakarta became a prominent example due to its severe pollution and air quality issues. She highlighted certain insights regarding Indonesia’s position in climate action such as explanations of its extreme weather changes as well as Enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (E-NDC). Henceforth, Dr. Bernadia informed the participants of the importance of strategic partnerships, capacity building, and the workshop’s insights that could be implemented in various cities for climate actions. She expressed UCLG ASPAC’s commitment to continually support the development and implementation of CAPs.
Lastly, the third speaker, Ms. Marulina Dewi Mutiara, Head of the Regional Bureau of DKI Jakarta Province, expressed her gratitude to UCLG-ASPAC as the host of the current GCoM workshop in Jakarta. She welcomed the Delegation of the EU in Indonesia and appreciated their support in funding and other matters of the event. Ms. Marulina highlighted Jakarta Special Capital Region/DKI Jakarta Province’s commitment to climate actions, ranging from governmental regulations, and GHG emission reduction targets, as well as the climate-related awards presentation.
CAP Launching & GCoM Badge Awards
The opening session of the workshop continued with the launching of CAPs from 4 GCoM Pilot Cities: Tangerang, North Minahasa, Medan, and Pontianak. Detailed presentations were delivered by the North Minahasa Regency (represented by Mr. Joune J.E. Ganda, S.E., M.A.P., M.M., M.Si., Regent of North Minahasa) and Medan City (represented by Mr. Ir. Wiriya Alrahman, M.M., Regional Secretary of Medan). Mr. Ganda of North Minahasa highlighted the regency’s vision for the 2021-2026 period which also features climate actions. The visions include the regency’s emission profile, climate threats, and adaptation action plans. Meanwhile, Mr. Wiriya of Medan presented yje Adaptations to Climate-Related Disasters for Medan with 10 and 8 plans considered as direct and indirect, repectively. Hence, the launching of CAPs solidified the position of 4 cities as GCoM Pilot Cities. The GCoM Badges were also awarded to 9 GCoM cities, including Banda Aceh, Tanjung Pinang, Bontang, and Jakarta, for their outstanding climate plans.
Session 1 – Thematic Session on Urban Mobility, Urban Drainage System, and Smart City
Moderated by GCoM SEA Coordinator Mr. Rendy Primrizqi, the three speakers presented their innovation-based efforts in handling climate change for cities and local governments. Mr. Conrad Richardson of Sustainable Mobility in Metropolitan Regions (SMMR), presented the Public Transport Modelling schemes for ASEAN nations. SMMR’s Public Transport Modelling highlighted the integrated city mobility concepts for every ASEAN nation through various approaches such as policy review with ASEAN nations, capacity development and coaching, as well as Pro-Active Methods in Transport Modelling. Currently, SMMR has already implemented its “spin-off” projects in certain ASEAN nations such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Lao Republic.
Following that, Mr. Adriadi Dimastanto of the Indonesian Association of Urban and Regional Planners (IAP) presented Urban Water Management Planning. The project focused on water sourcing and IAP implemented “bioconnecticity” concept on water management in Batu Licin, South Borneo. He presented the concept of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD), an integrated city-to-water sources planning concept. Consequently, Dr. Haris Piplas of Drees & Sommer Switzerland presented Smart City Modelling. He defined “Smart City” as an eco-friendly city concept that utilises human resources more than technology. He pointed out that partnerships are still the dominant strength in achieving climate action goals for cities, especially for “Smart Cities”. He then presented comparisons among European Cities that already implemented certain concepts of Smart City, including Zürich (Switzerland), Ingolstadt (Germany), Berlin (Germany), and Vienna (Austria).
Session 2 – Experience Sharing with Cities & Working Group Session: Financing Climate Technology and Innovations at a Local Level
In this session, GCoM city representatives were given the opportunity to share their experiences on how to implement climate mitigation and climate adaptation plans in their cities. The session was moderated by the Executive Secretary of the Centre for Climate Risk and Opportunity Management in Southeast Asia Pacific IPB University (CCROM SEAP IPB) Dr. I Putu Santikayasa. The panel discussion was proceeded by a working group session.
In the “Climate Mitigation” section, three speakers representing Jakarta (Indonesia), Cao Lanh (Vietnam), and Bangkok (Thailand) presented the plans. Mr. Asep Kuswanto, the Head of DKI Jakarta Environment Department, emphasised Jakarta’s mitigation plans for GHG Emission Reduction and Climate Adaptation, mainly through waste management plans such as the establishment of RDF Plants, Waste Management Sites, and other waste-related infrastructures. For Cao Lanh, Mr. Le Xuan Thoai, Head of Cao Lanh Urban Management City Department, presented the city’s eco-friendly improvement on public lighting. The implementation of LED lights as well as electricity-efficient lights have improved the public lighting of Cao Lanh. Ms. Yanee Kaewprasit, Environmentalist of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, showcased Bangkok’s climate action plans known as “Bangkok’s Masterplan on Climate Change.” The plans have been implemented in the first period (2013-2020) and are currently entering the second period (2021-2030). The “Masterplan” focused on eco-friendly improvements on multi-sector infrastructures as well as adaptation plans synergising with Thailand’s National Adaptation Plans.
For the “Climate Adaptation” section, two representatives from Pontianak (Indonesia) and Segamat (Malaysia) presented their adaptation concepts against climate change, and Dr. Haris Piplas of Drees & Sommer on experiences and reflections on how European Cities adapted to climate change. Ms. Elsa Risfadona, Head of Pontianak City Development Administration Division, spoke about Pontianak’s riverfront revitalisation around Kapuas River, Indonesia’s longest river. Ms. Amirah Fadhilah binti Mahdzub, Architect of Segamat Municipal Council emphasised the importance of open green spaces. Lastly, for the session’s presentations, Dr. Piplas delivered his insights regarding European cities’ visionary adaptation plans against various climate-related disasters such as floods. The session ended following a working group discussion on further challenges on how to implement the presented innovations and further improve participants’ perceptions of facing climate funding issues.
Session 3 – Dialogue with National-Level Ministries: Financing Needs for Cities
This session featured various Indonesian National-Level Ministries and Institutions who were given the opportunity to engage with participants in a financing needs discussion. The session was moderated by ICLEI Indonesia Country Manager Mr. Arif Wibowo. Mr. Agus Rusly of the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) discussed the national context of funding needs for climate mitigation and adaptation in Indonesia. Through his presentation, insights regarding Indonesia’s funding commitment to the Paris Agreement, NDC targets, and other climate-related actions were shared for participants to reflect on and implement their plans. Dr. Joko Tri Haryanto, Executive Director of the Indonesian Environment Fund (BPDLH/IEF), presented ideal funding mechanisms for local governments to implement their climate plans. The mechanisms consist of public and private finance and blended finance.
Dr. Antonius Hari of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) emphasised how climate finance is also beneficial in the Capital Market. The presentation also stressed the crucial role of the national financial sector in climate change adaptation. This discussion then proceeded by Mr. Eko Nur Prihandoko, Policy Analyst of the Fiscal Policy Agency (BKF) from the Indonesian Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu), who presented the implementation of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in Indonesia. Established from UNFCCC’s COP in 2010, the GCF has balanced targets of adaptation and mitigation and is a resourceful tool for the Indonesian government to propose funding plans. For the final speaker of this session, Ms. Anna Amalia of Bappenas presented the concepts of “Blue Book” and “Green Book”, guidance for an eco-friendly economic transition.
The dialogue then continued with CAPs Pitching by 5 GCoM Cities, proceeded by the ministry’s responses to strengthen the engagement and connection to improve their CAPs:
- Mr. Asep Kuswanto (Head of Environment Department, Jakarta Province) – Jakarta, Host City
- Mr. Benny Iskandar (Head of Regional Development Planning Agency, Medan City) – Medan, Pilot City
- Mr. Novly Geret Wowiling (Regional Secretary, North Minahasa Regency) – North Minahasa, Pilot City
- Ms. Elsa Risfadona Pontianak (Head of Development Administration Division, Regional Secretariat, Pontianak) – Pontianak, Pilot City
- Mr. Tri Wiratmo Wibowo (Head of Facilities and Infrastructure, Regional Development Planning Agency, Tangerang City) – Tangerang, Pilot City
Session 4 – Tools and Platforms for Facilitating Climate Finance at the City Level
The final session of the workshop featured a more engaging and interactive activity for participants to discuss climate finance. The session has provided details regarding facilities, utilities, or tools to assist cities on climate finance. PT. Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (SMI), CDP Asia-Pacific and UNCDF were given the opportunity to present their beneficial tools for climate funding. The discussion revolved around the utilisation of loans, presented by Mr. Fakhrul Aufa of PT. SMI; CDP capabilities as carbon reporting medium for local governments, presented by Mr. Haryono Hansen Sirait; and Sustainable Financing for Urban Development by UNCDF, presented by Mr. Fakri Karim as the Senior Advisor of UNCDF.
Prior to closing, participants were invited to form five groups for a group presentation regarding the Bankable Project Proposal through Expression of Interest (EOI) in order to discuss the Climate Funding Facilities further. The session was facilitated by Ms. Jazlyn Lee and Ms. Carolina Mesa from the GCoM GAP Fund. The activity aimed improve connections between participants from various institutions and stakeholders and to decide on ideal platforms to facilitate climate funding.
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Written by: Laudza Fajrul Falakh
Reviewed by: Rona Ikram Putri
