At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jakarta residents witnessed clearer skies and a more visible horizon due to the large-scale social restrictions that were put into place to reduce the virus transmission. The air quality index (AQI) gradually improved, as documented in the five locations measured daily by the Jakarta administration.

Another study conducted by the National Nuclear Energy Agency also showed that the level of PM2.5—fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less and easily inhalable—decreased by 40 percent. This could have long-term health impacts. By reducing PM2.5 levels to meet World Health Organization guidelines, the AQ Life Index predicts that Jakarta residents could gain 5.5 years of life expectancy. Reducing PM2.5 and other air pollutants that cause global warming could also help address climate change.

But these improvements will be temporary if the government and all stakeholders cannot work hand-in-hand to maintain and protect the air. Maintaining this precious resource can only be done if we strengthen the air-pollution reduction policy and actions that we started in 2005 – and use an innovative, creative, participative and science-driven process to accelerate toward cleaner air.

We have already started. In 2019, we issued Gubernatorial Instruction no. 66/2019, which aimed to strengthen provincial action in reducing air pollution from stationary and non-stationary sources. We created and implemented the policy in a collaborative and participatory manner, and we worked with partners ranging from our local experts and communities of practice to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to leading sustainability and health groups such as the World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia and Vital Strategies. These collaborations produced a comprehensive study and allowed knowledge exchange and capacity building for government officials in the policy-making process.

Looking ahead, we are building on this foundation in three ways.

First, the Jakarta administration uses a science-driven policy-making process in developing its policy. The administration makes use of data, analyzing trends and projecting the upcoming trends. In the case of air pollution reduction, the administration identifies and maps the sources of air pollution that significantly impact inhabitants, to formulate effective policies and actions.

In one study, collaborating with Vital Strategies and with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, we found that air pollution sources in Jakarta are slightly different between the dry and rainy seasons. Above all, vehicle exhausts remain the primary contributor during both seasons.

Given this circumstance, we focus on action in transportation sectors, such as vehicle emissions tests, non-motorized transportation endorsement and the integration of public transportation modes. We are not overlooking stationary sources, though, as the administration has increased the monitoring of industrial chimney emissions. It is pushing initiatives to use renewable energy sources by installing rooftop solar panels and extending green open spaces in the city.

We are also working with the Clean Air Catalyst program, a new flagship program launched by the US Agency for International Development and led in Jakarta by the WRI Indonesia and Vital Strategies, to build a shared awareness of these and other pollution sources that we can use to strengthen support for action.

Second, environmental issues, such as air pollution, need to be handled effectively through cross-sectoral collaboration and an innovative instrument that brings all government units to manage the issue based on its functions. The Jakarta government started the cross-sectoral collaboration through regional strategic activities, which have proven beneficial for gathering relevant government stakeholders.

In addition, issues raised in regional strategic activities get the most priority in terms of the development agenda, financing and being monitored and evaluated periodically. Air quality control is the 71st regional strategic activity as amended by Gubernatorial Decree No. 1107/2019 regarding the Amendment of Gubernatorial Decree No. 1042/2018 concerning the list of regional strategic activities.

We must also pay close attention to addressing the root causes of pollution. It is not enough to ban emissions at the end of the tailpipe or on top of the smokestack – we must identify the economic, social and other pressures that affect emissions, and change these. And we must be careful that our efforts to reduce emissions do not inadvertently create new hardships for the vulnerable among us. The Clean Air Catalyst team is helping to identify these new possibilities for effective, sustained pollution reduction.

Third, all of the aforementioned efforts will not work optimally if only done by one party. It needs collaborative efforts from all stakeholders. The government plays a role as a collaborator to gather ideas and aspirations to strengthen the air pollution reduction actions. This process was implemented when Jakarta developed Gubernatorial Instruction No. 66/2019.

By default, the Jakarta administration is organizing a participatory planning process for creating annual local government plans through a series of discussions called Musrenbang (bottom-up development planning deliberation). This is an example of how the administration is following a collaborative and participatory approach to managing the city.

Furthermore, local government networks and international organizations are helping local governments to implement their actions and expand their network to reach communities and stakeholders.

Through participatory collaboration at all levels, I believe we can improve air quality and make Jakarta a healthier and more livable city for all citizens.

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The writer is governor of Jakarta.