Jakarta – Analysts are urging the government to immediately implement the Euro 4 fuel oil standard as one of the practical solutions to overcome the increasingly worrying air quality crisis in Jakarta, especially during the peak dry season between June and August.
Executive Director of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), Fabby Tumiwa, emphasised that the low fuel quality in Indonesia plays a significant role in worsening air pollution. “Most of the fuel circulating in Indonesia still has a high sulfur content, ranging from 150 to 2,000 ppm. While Euro 4 fuel has a much lower sulfur content of 50 ppm,” Fabby said in a release on Tuesday, December 17.
According to the latest study, “Analysis of the Impact of Fuel Quality Improvement Policy on Environmental, Health and Economic Aspects”, conducted by IESR together with the Research Center for Climate Change University of Indonesia (RCCC UI), the Committee for the Elimination of Leaded Gasoline (KPBB), and the Center of Reform on Economics (CORE), the full implementation of Euro 4 fuel from 2025 to 2030 can significantly reduce harmful pollutants. Particulate matter (PM) 2.5, which is the main threat to air quality, can be reduced by 96 per cent, while sulfur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions can be reduced between 82 and 98 per cent.
Fabby highlighted that the impact of air pollution on health is enormous. BPJS Health claims due to pollution-related diseases in Jakarta alone reached Rp1.2 trillion in 2023. “Ischemic heart disease accounts for the largest claim at Rp 471 billion, while pneumonia and influenza follow with a value of Rp 409 billion,” he said.
IESR Environmental Policy Analyst Ilham RF Surya explained that the implementation of Euro 4 fuel will impact increasing production costs. “There is an increase in production costs of around Rp200 to Rp500 per litre. The government needs to design a fair financing scheme, whether through subsidies, charging consumers, or limiting access to subsidised fuel to certain groups of people,” Ilham said.
However, despite the cost challenges, the health sector has the potential for significant savings. An IESR study projects that reducing BPJS claims for pneumonia, ischemic heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 2030 could reach Rp550 billion.
Fabby emphasised that the implementation of Euro 4 fuel must be accompanied by sustainable transportation policies for optimal results. (Hartatik)
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