Op-Ed
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Strengthening Indonesia's Disaster Resilience: The Role of Legal Reform, Financial Innovation, and Climate Change Education in the 2024-2029 Roadmap
Op-Ed
2025
January
Indonesia’s Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance (DRFI) strategy has made commendable progress, yet significant challenges persist. Legal ambiguities, inadequate risk data integration, and underutilisation of financial products such as micro-insurance hinder its full potential. The 2024-2029 roadmap should prioritise: (1) strengthening legal frameworks and institutional support for innovative financial products; (2) fostering collaboration among the government, private sectors, and international partners; and (3) enhancing financial protection mechanisms for climate-related risks. Integrating climate change education into disaster resilience strategies, exemplified by the Satuan Pendidikan Aman Bencana (SPAB) programme, is critical for improving community-level preparedness. Expanding these initiatives nationwide will empower communities to respond more effectively to disasters. Indonesia has the potential to position itself as a global leader in disaster resilience by integrating robust financial strategies with broad educational efforts.
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Lihat Lebih Sedikit
Op-Ed


Dynamics of the Indonesian Working Class from Middle-Income: Challenges and Solutions in Facing Economic Vulnerability
Op-Ed
2024
December
From 1999 to 2009, Indonesia’s middle class experienced rapid expansion due to economic modernisation, which is crucial in driving economic growth and mitigating inequality through taxes and business creation. However, recent data indicates a concerning trend: a decline in the middle-class population alongside a rise in the Aspiring Middle Class (AMC) and vulnerable groups from 2018 to 2024. By 2024, only 17.13% of Indonesians are projected to belong to the middle-income class, with 49% still facing vulnerabilities that could lead to a significant risk of slipping into the low-income bracket. This decline has had an impact on national purchasing power, which has decreased. A lecturer from the Faculty of Economics and Business, the University of Indonesia, Mr Chatib, in his article “Kelas Menengah: Dari Zona Nyaman ke Zona Makan”, points out the main drivers are a lack of social protection that focuses on the middle class and a lack of labour-intensive jobs available. Recent studies suggest that enhancing human capital, especially in education and skills needed for labour, could be a key factor in reducing this vulnerability and stabilising the welfare state of the middle-income group.
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Lihat Lebih Sedikit
Op-Ed


Securing the Seas: Strategic Approaches to Oil Spill Detection
Op-Ed
2024
December
Indonesia holds significant hydrocarbon resources, with crude oil reserves at 2.36 billion barrels as of 2021, a decline from 2020 figures. The country has over 500 offshore platforms, 70% of which are nearing the end of their productive life. These platforms pose risks of oil spills caused by equipment failures, human errors, environmental factors, and tanker accidents. Such spills threaten marine ecosystems and coastal communities, causing substantial economic and environmental damage. Historical incidents, such as the 2018 Balikpapan Bay spill, the 2019 Karawang spill, and recurrent cases in the Riau Islands, highlight the urgency for improved monitoring and management systems. Economic losses from these spills have been estimated to range from IDR 183 billion to IDR 10 trillion, with significant disruptions to local livelihoods. Technologies such as satellite-based Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Indonesia’s INDESO system have been employed for surface oil spill detection. INDESO enables real-time monitoring and rapid response, ensuring timely mitigation efforts. However, subsurface spill detection remains underdeveloped. Advanced tools like ultrasonic systems, laser fluorosensor, and spectrometers show promise but face high costs and practical limitations. To address oil spill risks comprehensively, Indonesia is incorporating Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI) mapping using GIS and AHP methodologies. However, challenges remain in securing sufficient disaster management funding, which accounts for less than 1% of the national budget. The government seeks to enhance oil spill response capabilities through international collaborations and increased financial support, emphasising the need for a structured, integrated system to mitigate risks and protect coastal environments.
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Lihat Lebih Sedikit
Op-Ed


Closing the Loop: Breaking the Bottleneck of the Indonesian Plastic Crisis
Op-Ed
2024
December
Inadequate infrastructure and a lack of awareness often lead to the pervasive issue of plastic waste from oftentimes mismanaged single-use items. Its multifaceted impacts on Indonesia’s waterways and marine ecosystems become a bottleneck to relevant stakeholders and the nation’s overall socioeconomic growth. This paper explores the feasibility of a circular economy (CE) model for plastic waste management, incorporating the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework to reduce environmental impact in the value chain. The study also assesses the potential of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a funding mechanism to support CE implementation in Indonesia, with recommendations for regulatory enhancements and infrastructure investments to overcome current limitations and achieve sustainable national economic growth.
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Lihat Lebih Sedikit
Op-Ed


Growing Green: Thriving in the ASEAN Job Market with Sustainability Careers
Op-Ed
2024
December
Indonesia holds a critical role in driving ASEAN’s green job transformation through its abundant natural resources and young workforce to meet the rising demand for sustainability-focused employment. Indonesia can align its workforce with the 12.3% annual global growth in green roles by addressing the skills gap (currently, only 1.8 million workers are targeted for green jobs by 2030), integrating sustainability knowledge into technical curricula, and fostering public-private partnerships. Policy interventions and independent initiatives can further support this transition to contribute to Indonesia’s national roadmap, which projects an average GDP growth of 6.1 to 6.5% annually by 2050, with green jobs reducing emissions by 68% by 2045 and achieving Net Zero by 2060.
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Lihat Lebih Sedikit
Op-Ed


Impact of Climate Change on Environmental Capacity and Fishermen Migration in Cilacap Regency
Op-Ed
2024
December
Climate change has significantly impacted the coastal environment’s carrying capacity and the livelihoods of fishermen in Cilacap Regency. Rising seawater temperatures, saltwater intrusion, and coastal erosion have disrupted marine ecosystems, causing a decline in fisheries productivity that has forced fishermen to migrate to other areas. Despite these challenges, the resilience of fishing communities is evident. The Cilacap District Government has initiated adaptation policies, such as coastal ecosystem rehabilitation and mangrove management. More comprehensive and collaborative strategies are needed to increase this resilience and adapt to climate change. With the proper support and commitment, these strategies can lead to a more sustainable and resilient future for the fishing communities. The importance of international support cannot be overstated. Efforts at the national level, such as through RAN-API, are crucial. However, international commitments through the Paris Agreement and support from FAO are equally essential to help fishers adapt through environmentally friendly technologies and economic diversification.
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Lihat Lebih Sedikit
Op-Ed


Indonesian Preparedness in Strengthening Health Emergency System to Encounter Future Pandemics: Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Pandemic
Op-Ed
2024
October
COVID-19 revealed critical vulnerabilities within Indonesia’s healthcare system, exacerbated by its geographic dispersion, healthcare inequities, and resource limitations. Despite implementing public health measures, repurposing facilities, and expanding vaccination efforts, the country faced challenges, including under-reported cases, shortages of healthcare workers, and poor coordination among stakeholders. These issues highlighted the need for systemic improvements, particularly in rural areas. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, increasing medical staffing, enhancing governance, and fostering partnerships are essential takeaways for future pandemic preparedness and a more resilient healthcare system.
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Lihat Lebih Sedikit
Op-Ed


Overview of Renewable Energy-Based Village Grids (RVGs) in Indonesia
Op-Ed
2024
October
To reach 100% electrification, Indonesia must overcome energy poverty in rural locations. Renewable Energy-based Village Grids (RVGs) based on solar photovoltaic (PV), microhydro, and biomass have been established in numerous villages. RVG projects bring the advantages of reduced pollution, enhanced prosperity, and gender equality. However, some projects still encounter inequity and other challenges that obstruct long-term sustainability. This article provides some recommendations to support the deployment of RVGs in Indonesia.
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Lihat Lebih Sedikit
Op-Ed


Resilient Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Policies for Ibu Kota Nusantara: A Global Perspective
Op-Ed
2024
September
In the endeavour to establish Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN) as the new capital of Indonesia, the development of robust infrastructure and effective water sanitation policies emerges as a pivotal element for the region’s sustainable growth. This report embarks on a comprehensive exploration of infrastructure and water sanitation strategies tailored to IKN’s unique context. Drawing inspiration from a global perspective, renowned for their meticulous planning and governance, we also cast a global lens on emerging cities worldwide, whose innovative approaches to infrastructure and water sanitation provide valuable insights. As Dr Lorenzo Chelleri (EUKN, 2023) profoundly notes, “A resilient city is a city able to politically choose a long-term transformative pathway of developmenttomitigaterisks,supportingtheresiliencecapacitiesofactors,economies,and infrastructures contributing to that pathway, while actively eroding the capacities of those still pursuing unsustainable and business as usual pathways.” By amalgamating these global perspectives with IKN’s distinct characteristics, this paper aims to explore approaches to establishing resilient, environmentally conscious, and culturally sensitive infrastructure development, setting a visionary course for Indonesia’s new capital.
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Lihat Lebih Sedikit
Op-Ed


Diffusing Humour in The Disaster Risk Communication Strategy to Increase The Resilience of The Affected Community
Op-Ed
2024
August
The 2011 tsunami in Japan and the 2010 Haiti earthquake provide evidence that failure in disaster risk communication leads to more fatalities among at-risk communities. In the past five years, disaster practitioners have utilised a wide range of strategies to communicate disaster risks. The strategies used are diverse according to its objectives, tools, coverage, and target audiences by mainstreaming the audience’s needs, local norms, geographical areas, and cultural values. These strategies are not solely intended to deliver reliable disaster risk-related information efficiently. More substantially, the strategies are also expected to quickly bring resiliency to the disaster-affected communities. This Op-Ed will provide an early understanding of the concept of disaster risk communication and its strategies, including resilience concepts and frameworks. Moreover, this Op-Ed also underlines further discussion on how vital disaster risk communication is, how the communication is linked with the conceptual elements of the resiliency of disaster-affected communities, and how humour can be a promising entrance to establish a more disaster-resilient community.
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Lihat Lebih Sedikit
Op-Ed


Enhancing Adaptive Social Protection Programme for Internally Displaced Persons in Papua
Op-Ed
2024
August
Adequate social protection for internally displaced persons (IDPs) requires a comprehensive assessment of their multidimensional vulnerabilities to better inform the programme design. In the case of IDPs in Papua, the current approach has been deemed ineffective due to its insensitive nature and lack of responsiveness to the vulnerabilities faced by IDPs. Five key dimensions of vulnerability—economic, environmental, political, security, and societal—must be integrated into social protection to enhance resilience among IDPs. Furthermore, a higher degree of decentralised social protection is essential, empowering local authorities to adapt programmes to the specific needs of IDPs while also being relevant to the Special Autonomy Policy (Otsus) in Papua.
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Lihat Lebih Sedikit
Op-Ed


Risk Mitigations in the Disaster-Prone Country: Ensuring Livability for Fishermen in Aceh
Op-Ed
2024
August
As a country with a high risk for various disasters, the government is expected to prepare for the worst. For those with high-risk occupations, such as fishermen, there is much at stake in working and living in a vulnerable coastal region. Aceh has one of the largest coastal areas in Indonesia and a high population of fishermen. Moreover, amidst the current climate and economic uncertainties, there is a possibility of being trapped or falling below the poverty line if not managed correctly. Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) could provide the baseline needed to mitigate preparations and implementations needed to prepare for shocks caused by disasters. Not only does ASP provide the framework needed for shock mitigation, but it also prepares resilient community behaviour. The Indonesian government has taken steps to integrate ASP into social protection schemes and expand its range. This article aims to map several points of the AdaptiveSocialProtectionframeworkandtheirrelationshiptotheactionthathasbeencarried out for fishermen in the Aceh region.
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Lihat Lebih Sedikit
Op-Ed