Figure 1. Head of Bappenas, Mr. Bambang Brodjonegoro launching Low Carbon Development Report
Purnomo Yusgiantoro Center was invited to the launching of “Low Carbon Development: A Paradigm Shift Towards a Green Economy in Indonesia” by The Ministry of Planning and National Development (Bappenas) and Low Carbon Development Indonesia (LCDI). The event was held on March 26, 2019, at the Djunaedi Hadisumarto (DH) Room Bappenas. This launching event was also broadcasted live on the Bappenas youtube channel.
This event was opened by Dr. Ir. Gellwynn Daniel Hamzah Jusuf, M.Sc as the main secretary of Bappenas. He explained the mandate from the Head of Bappenas that low-carbon development is a must in the future. Indonesia’s development showed significant progress with above 5 percent in 2016 and 2017. Indonesia’s Low Carbon Development Planning Initiative (PPRK) shows Indonesia commitment to low carbon development. The initiative will be outlined in the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2020-2024.
The event presented various speakers from the LCDI Commissioner, namely Prof. Boediono (11th Indonesian Vice President), Prof. Mari Elka Pangestu (Former Minister of Trade and Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia), Prof. Lord Nicholas and Herbert Stern (Global Advisory Commission on the Economy & Climate). Meanwhile, Bappenas was represented by Dr. Arifin Rudiyanto, the Deputy for Maritime & Natural Resources.
In his remarks, Prof. Boediono invited young people to care about low-carbon development. He gave an example by showing a video of Greta Ernman Thunberg, a 16-year-old girl from Sweden who campaigned to stop global warming by starting a school strike. Prof. Boediono hopes that Indonesia’s young generation can imitate the spirit of Greta to promote climate change issues and to support low-carbon development.
Prof. Mari Elka Pangestu spoke about the prospect of low carbon development in Indonesia, especially for economic improvement. She argued that low-carbon development could reduce Indonesia’s poverty rate to a low level. Indonesia has started the concept of green financing to support low-carbon national development. She also addressed that financial service companies, such as Standard Chartered, have agreed to issue green bonds policies for low-carbon projects in Indonesia.
Dr. Arifin Rudiyanto from Bappenas explained various progress of low carbon development in Indonesia. In 2018, Indonesia succeeded in reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by 43.8 million tons of CO2. This achievement will be improved to meet Indonesia’s 2045 target to be clean and free from pollution.
Finally, the event was concluded by the speech from Head of Bappenas, Mr. Bambang Brojonegoro. He hoped that Bappenas targets could be met to get Indonesia clean of carbon emissions. At present, according to him, there has been an MoU with the Provinces of Central Java and South Sulawesi for the framework of a low-carbon development program in Indonesia. He hopes all provinces in Indonesia will follow these steps.
