Jakarta (Greeners) – Following China announced as the host for World Environment Day on June 5 and took air pollution as the theme, Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry is focusing on vehicle emissions and strengthening air pollution concentration parameter.
The 2019 World Environment Day will push for governments, industries, communities and individuals to explore renewable energy and green technology, also to improve air quality in cities and regions throughout the world.
It is predicted seven million premature deaths caused by air pollution in the world, at least four million premature deaths occur in Asia Pacific.
In addition, air pollution leads to global economic loss up to five trillion dollars per year in terms of welfare costs and ozone pollution on terrestrial is predicted to reduce food production to 26 percent by 2030.
READ ALSO: KLHK Denies Jakarta Ranked Worst on Air Quality Report by Greenpeace
Indonesian government underlines air pollution control by focusing on vehicle emissions.
Karliansyah, director general for pollution and environmental damage control of Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said that the government is currently developing a policy program of fuel similar to EURO 4, revision of thermal power plant emission quality standards, biomass power plant, environmentally friendly vehicles, such as gas, electric, and light rail transit.
“We are managing our pollutant sources as we can, however, this [type] of emission is being prioritized because emissions from vehicles is the main source of air pollution, of nearly 70 percent. Based on air monitoring, unhealthy air occurs between 7 am to 10 am, and around 11 o’clock, emissions reduced, it will rise again around 3 pm and 7 pm,” said Karliansyah on Friday (05/04/2019). “So, our program is to encourage public to shift from private vehicles to mass transportation. In addition, the ministry is tackling forest and land fires, also peatlands restoration.”
READ ALSO: Ministry of Environment and Forestry to Increase Environmental Quality Index in Indonesia
Meanwhile, as the host of 2019 World Environment Day, China is committed to green growth as the country produces half of world’s electric cars and 99 percent of electric buses throughout the world.
China can show its innovation and progress to achieve clean environment.
“China is the suitable host for the 2019 World Environment Day. The country has shown leadership in tackling air pollution issue in the country. It also encourages other countries to do bigger actions. Air pollution is a global emergency affecting all people. China will lead changes and push for global action to save millions of lives,” said Joyce Msuya on a press statement.
Based on the latest UN report on air pollution in Asia and Pacific, by implementing 25 policies on technology will reduce 20 percent of carbon dioxide and 45 percent of methane gas, globally which contributes to a third Celsius degrees of global warming.
Hence, the 2019 World Environment Day will push governments, industries, communities and individuals to explore renewable energy and green technology, and improve air quality in cities and regions throughout the world.
Reports by Dewi Purningsih
21 Apr 2024 
