JAKARTA — Economic Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto has reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to reduce greenhouse emissions at 29 percent during a meeting with the visiting President Designate of the United Kingdom (UK) for the Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), Alok Sharma.
During their meeting on Tuesday, 01 June 2021, Coordinating Minister Airlangga said that the Indonesian government is committed to reducing the greenhouse emissions by 29 percent on its own efforts, and at 41 percent with the international assistances in 2030.
“Currently, we’re on the right track and optimistic that we can reach the reduction target of 29 percent. But we’re still striving to realize the 41 percent target due to a lack of international assistances in terms of financing and technology,” Airlangga said in a press statement received by Republika.co.id on Tuesday.
The meeting was also attended by British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste, Owen Jenkins, and COP26 Regional Ambassador for Asia-Pacific and South Asia Ken O’Flaherty. During the meeting they also talked about several issues regarding the COP26 Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade (FACT) Dialogue, in which Indonesia is the Co-Chair together with the UK. They also discussed about the preparations and participation of Indonesia to support the COP26 conference that will be held in Glasgow, the UK, on 01 – 12 November 2021.
Airlangga added that Indonesia has been always acting as an active global player which is committed to protecting the environment and biodiversity. It is particularly aimed at stopping the negative impacts of climate change and realizing the program of poverty eradication.
“Indonesia is ready to lead by example on the climate change issue. Transparency, accountability, traceability and research based scheme have become the basis of our sustainable agriculture,” the minister said.
Airlangga, who is also the chairman of the ruling Golkar party, said that Indonesia is part of the vanguard in fulfilling the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Besides, the Indonesian government has been continually pursuing efforts of reaching the target of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations (UN) in 2015. Indonesia has adopted and implemented a number of initiatives regarding the principles and practices of sustainability.
Its sustainability initiatives include the timber legality verification system (SVLK), Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO), and Sustainable Natural Rubber Platform of Indonesia (SNARPI). Those initiatives have been undertaken by the private sector, but with the full support of the Indonesian government. “We’re working on other schemes of integrated sustainability certifications for other commodities,” Airlangga said.
He asserted that the Indonesian government also appreciates the ongoing cooperation between Indonesia and the UK on the program of strengthening the sustainability of Indonesian palm oil (SPOSI). This program is aimed to further improve the sustainability of palm oil by increasing the capacity of smallholders and acceptance of palm oil products at the global market.
The Indonesian government has issued a presidential decree to increase the standard of ISPO certification. It has also issued a national action plan on the sustainable palm oil. Airlangga stated that Indonesia has asked the support of the UK government to fight against the negative campaigns on the palm oil and derivative products in Europe. (*)
Source: republika.co.id | Featured image via gimni.org
