President Jokowi Addresses Three Issues on Climate Change

INDUSTRY.co.id - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo attended the Leaders Summit on Climate which was held virtually, from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province, Thursday (22/4).

On the occasion, the President addressed three issues related to the climate change, as follows.

First, he emphasized that Indonesia is very serious in controlling climate change and inviting the world to take concrete actions.

As the largest archipelagic country and owner of tropical forests, President Jokowi said that tackling climate change is Indonesia’s national interest. Thanks to policies, empowerment, and law enforcement, Indonesia’s current deforestation rate has fallen to the lowest in twenty years.

“The halt in the conversion of natural forests and peatlands has reached 66 million hectares, or more than the area of England and Norway combined. The reduction in forest fires was up to 82 percent while several regions in America, Australia and Europe saw the widest increase,” said President Jokowi.

Second, the President invited world leaders to advance green development for a better world. According to him, Indonesia has updated its nationally determined contributions (NDC) to increase adaptation capacity and climate resilience.

Moreover, Indonesia also welcomes the 26^th Framework Convention on Climate Change held in England for an implemented and balanced outcome. Indonesia also welcomes the target of a number of countries towards net-zero emission by 2050. However, to be credible, this commitment must be carried out based on the fulfillment of the 2030 NDC commitment.

“Developing countries will carry out the same ambition if the commitment of developed countries is credible with real support. Support and fulfillment of the commitments of developed countries are needed,” he added.

Third, to achieve the target of the Paris Agreement and the next common agenda, President Jokowi expressed views that the global partnership must be strengthened. World countries need to build an understanding and strategies to achieve net-zero emissions and towards the 26^th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Climate Change Framework Convention- (UNFCCC COP 26) in Glasgow, he added.

In addition, Indonesia itself is currently accelerating net-zero emission pilot project, among others, by building the Indonesia Green Industrial Park covering an area of 12,500 hectares in North Kalimantan province, which will become the largest in the world.

“We are currently rehabilitating 620 thousand hectares of mangrove forests until 2024, the largest in the world with carbon absorption reaching four times compared to that of tropical forests. Indonesia is also open to investment and technology transfer, including investment for energy transition,” he said.

Furthermore, President Jokowi explained that great opportunities are also open for the developments of biofuels, the lithium battery industry and electric vehicles (EV). He emphasized that the Indonesia’s presidency for the G20 in 2022 will prioritize strengthened cooperation on climate change and sustainable development.

“Indonesia also continues to support the efforts of our friends in the Pacific region. We must continue to take collective actions, a real global partnership, and not blame each other, let alone apply trade barriers under the pretext of environmental issues,” he said.

For the record, the Leaders Summit on Climate was officially opened by President of the United States Joe Biden and Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris. This conference was attended by 41 heads of states/heads of governments/heads of international organizations.