Jakarta – Indonesia’s young generation is urging the government to take more serious action on climate change, stating that commitment to the issue should be part of the nation’s nationalism.
The declaration, read by Adli Firlian Ilmi, a student and declarator of Generation Net-Zero, during the Indonesia Net-Zero Summit 2024 held last weekend at Djakarta Theater, Thamrin, Central Jakarta, is a commitment by the young generation to continue caring for and overseeing environmental sustainability in Indonesia.
The event was also attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pahala Mansury and Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani. On this occasion, Sri Mulyani received the Climate Hero Award from the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) in recognition of her contribution to fighting climate change issues.
“We, the youth, demand that the current and future governments no longer just talk in committing to the climate crisis,” said Adli, who represented State Highschool (SMA Negeri) 3 Bogor City in a written statement on Monday, August 26.
Adli emphasized that the climate crisis is the biggest threat to the younger generation’s future.
“We are determined to realize the vision of a Net Zero Indonesia by 2050, or even sooner if possible, and we are committed to continue reducing carbon emissions ambitiously,” he said.
Furthermore, Adli also highlighted the importance of keeping the earth’s temperature below 1.5 degrees Celsius in accordance with the Paris Agreement while still addressing climate justice.
“Climate justice includes not only the injustice between rich and poor countries but also the injustice within our own country,” he explained.
Adli revealed that developed countries are responsible for their carbon footprint, which has polluted the atmosphere.
“Developed countries must take responsibility through collaborations like the JETP and the formulation of equitable carbon trading so that we can all achieve the goal of Net Zero emissions by 2050,” he continued.
He also highlighted climate injustice in the country, where the urban poor, who are most vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis, do not contribute much to carbon emissions, in contrast to the middle class and above.
Dr Dino Patti Djalal, founder and chairman of FPCI, fully supported this urgency from the younger generation. In his speech at the Opening Plenary of Indonesia Net-Zero Summit 2024, Dino emphasised that climate change is a common enemy that all parties must fight.
“Climate change is a very dangerous threat to our survival. If we are not serious, this could be a weapon of mass destruction more deadly than the atomic bomb explosions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki,” said Dino.
Dino invites all parties, from the private sector to government to academia, to unite in the fight against climate change.
“We must embrace each other in strong collaboration. This is our ammunition to cripple this evil common enemy,” he concluded.
Through the declaration and support from various parties, Indonesia’s young generation showed their determination to be witnesses and pioneers in the effort to fight climate change and ensure a greener and more sustainable future. (Hartatik)
