T

he Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has vowed to support the sustainable consumption and production program (SCP) in accordance with what the government has initiated.

For that purpose, Kadin will work with the Environment Ministry to develop a scheme that will serve as a recognition and appreciation to business players that adopt sustainable business practices.

The support to the sustainable program was among one of the conclusions of a two-day working meeting of Kadin in Pekanbaru, Riau, which ended on Tuesday.

They also agreed '€” among other things '€” to set up an eco-labeling desk, which will formulate suggestions for the government on sustainable consumption and production standards.

Tiur Rumondang, Kadin'€™s commission head of international cooperation for the environment, said the eco-friendly label will be based on government-set standards on SCP.

The move is to also raise awareness for both consumers and businesses about SCP practices.

'€œFor example, the awareness of the level of water and energy efficiency in businesses, or standards on biodegradable products,'€ she said over the phone.

'€œThe people must be aware that their consuming habits have an impact on the environment,'€ she added.

Kadin'€™s statement is a form of support to the governments'€™ framework for its 10 Year Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YSCP).

The framework is in line with the governments'€™ effort to implement the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) 10 Years Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP).

The 10YFP is a global framework of action to enhance international cooperation and accelerate the shift toward sustainable consumption and production.

The eco-label was agreed upon due to a number of issues raised in Kadin'€™s national meeting concerning standardization and licensing of products, such as those for crude palm oil (CPO) and timber.

According to Antara news agency, Zulkifli Hasan said on Monday that having a green economy for Indonesia is non-negotiable because environmental-friendly management of the economy has become an international norm.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa said that the government will push its promotion of Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) to the international community as proof that Indonesia'€™s CPO products are eco-friendly.

Separately, the Indonesia Pulp and Paper Association (APKI) have asked the Trade Ministry to develop a policy that would make legal timber certification (SVLK) mandatory for imported pulp and paper products to protect local industry products as well as promote the certification to the international community.

'€œWe should be confident with the products that we have. SVLK should be implemented on imported products as well,'€ said Rusli Tan, second deputy head of APKI.

According to him, Indonesia'€™s pulp and paper products are growing and threaten industries in other countries, and is the reason why countries implement non-tariff barriers such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

He pointed out that certification such as FSC cannot be implemented in Indonesia because it forbids industries to open more than 10,000 hectares of land per year.