Low Carbon Development: Towards Environmental and Economic Sustainability
Low Carbon Development (LCD) is a strategic approach integrated into Indonesia’s national development planning. The main focus of SCP is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while prioritising economic and social growth.
This concept promotes development that is not only oriented towards economic growth, but also considers the carrying capacity and capacity of the environment, which is increasingly urgent in the midst of climate change.
Until 2022, Indonesia has achieved significant progress in GHG emission reduction efforts, amounting to 6.37 GtCO2 eq or 27.82 per cent of the baseline. A reduction in GHG emission intensity was also recorded at 112 tonnes CO2eq per billion rupiah, indicating an achievement of 34.09 per cent from the baseline.
This success is the result of collaboration between Ministries/Institutions and Local Governments, which have implemented more than 32,000 DRR actions. This achievement is in line with the targets of the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), commitments in the 2030 Paris Agreement, and the vision to achieve net zero emissions by 2060 or sooner.
In 2023, Indonesia continued to accelerate efforts to reduce GHG emissions by implementing various regulations that support the energy transition. One important regulation is Presidential Regulation No. 11/2023, which regulates government affairs related to new renewable energy. Other regulations, such as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 2/2023, emphasise the importance of carbon capture and storage, as well as the use of biomass fuels in power generation.
This is a significant step towards reducing dependence on fossil fuels and developing more environmentally friendly energy sources.
In the waste sector, the Zero Waste Zero Emission Operational Plan 2025 was launched. The plan has ambitious targets to reduce emissions from the waste sector and calls for concrete measures to achieve zero waste by 2040 and near zero emission by 2050. This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing waste and pollution issues, which are among the main causes of GHG emissions.
Overall, SCP is not only a strategy to reduce emissions, but also Indonesia’s commitment to achieve sustainable development. With proactive measures taken by the government, it is expected that sustainable economic growth and environmental protection can go hand in hand.
The contribution of all parties, including the government, the community, and the private sector, is needed to optimise the implementation of GHR in order to realise the vision of a low-carbon and sustainable Indonesia.
Source: Bappenas
