Study asks Indonesia to adopt green economy

Adianto P. Simamora ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 07/01/2009 8:32 AM  |  National

A study analyzing the impacts of switching to a low-carbon economy has shown that investing more in energy efficiency, reducing the use of coal-based fuels and stopping deforestation, could improve per capita incomes and help ease the level of unemployment.

The joint study was conducted by Padjadjaran University, the Center for Economic and Development Studies (CEDS), Strategic Asia and the office of the State Minister for the Environment.

The study found that these benefits would be gained by increasing energy efficiency by 25 percent, reducing the use of coal-based fuels by 50%, implementing a US$50 per ton tax on carbon production, and reducing the rate of deforestation by 10 percent.

“The environmental and economic benefits of such measures are huge. It would cut 177 million tons of CO2 emissions and increase GDP by 2.7 percent [Rp 133 trillion] per year,” Arief Anshory Yusuf, a researcher from Padjadjaran University told The Jakarta Post.

“Such economic benefits could create new jobs for more than 3 million people, and the number of poor people would be reduced by more than 4 million per year.”

The study also included policy recommendations designed to meet targets by promoting energy-saving policies in 25 percent of wealthy households in urban areas, energy-intensive industries and the transport sector.

Several countries, including the  US, China and South Korea have been considering adopting “green economy” policies to cut carbon emissions.

The US has allocated US$80 billion for renewable resources and energy efficient programs.

China has allocated 12 percent of its $586 billion economic stimulus package toward energy efficiency and  improving the quality of environment.

The South Korean government has created a “Green New Deal” by investing $28 billion in four years to finance 36 projects focused on improving the environment.

Indonesia has issued a series of regulations aimed at cutting emissions from the energy and forestry sectors, but its implementation record remains poor.

In 2005, the government issued a presidential decree on fuel savings requiring government offices to reduce the use of energy and official trips. The government also issued a decree on energy, setting targets to cut 17 percent of the country’s emissions from the energy sector.

State Minister for the Environment Rachmat Witoelar said the country should take advantage of its enormous stock of low carbon energy sources like geothermal energy to move toward a green economy.

Indonesia has about 33.000 megawatts of the geothermal resources.

Masnellyarti Hilman, the ministry’s deputy for nature conservation enhancement and environment degradation control, said there were alternatives to carbon market mechanisms, which could generate income and produce a green economy that was not reliant on destroying the environment.

“In forests for example, ecotourism could provide an alternative source of income, rather than cutting down trees for timber,” she said.

Comments (1)  |   Post comment
A  |   A  |   A  |   Mail to a friend  |  Printer Friendly Version |  Digg it!  |  Add to Del.icio.us!  |  Add to Reddit!  |  Stumble it!   |  Share on facebook  

Hersumpana (not verified) — Mon, 07/06/2009 - 2:28pm

This Article published on July 7, 2009 (JP) revealing the quest of the benefit of a green economy for saving our planet energy.

This study done by The Center for Development and Economic Studies, Pajajaran University infers beautiful statement, "that investing more in energy efficiency, reducing the use of coal-based fuels and stopping deforestation, could improve per capita incomes and help ease the level of unemployment". Indeed, that's true, Who disagrees with such conclusion?

But What's next? that the main point of every scientific effort is how the state minister of the Environment could implement the recommendation in proper way. The fact now is that deforestation are increasing uncontrollable. When we are going to the outer Java, like north Sumatra, we find out even the conserved forests are now being devastated by the illegal loggers and the local government and parliament member pledge to change the law, so that local government can exploit the forest, in case of Bukit Barisan forest and TNGL for example.

There are quite a lot deforestation practices where the government does not take care. After the implementation of decentralization Law, many local governments exploited the forest and unrenewable resources. Rather than doing reforestation and conserving natural energy, we are even proud of used it up for the temporary interest. About 70 % of Our natural energy resources now is excavating by the foreign investor. This of the Government failure to used the national resources to make people prosperous. If we do not have comprehensive law on the natural resources, we only would be an spectacle. The people are dying in the riches of its own resources.

Our resources should be protect from the damages of the greedy power of pro-capitalist system and have no commitment to our safety planet. But if only we really understand the importance of green economy concept and praxis, not just partially and fragmented notion on saving the energy with a reactive solution.

The better knowledge of Indonesian environment culture would be advantage in saving the forest, creatively creating the sustainable economic development. The main task for me, is not just how save from deforestation and natural resources exploitation, we have to disseminate the culture of "literacy and civilization" on the sustainable development for all parties.

hersumpana
Yogyakarta

What's On

more
more
more