Jakarta, 2 October— Indonesia’s population has risen from 208 million to 281 million over the last three decades, reaching this figure in 2024, as reported by the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS). This demographic growth, coupled with an economic recovery from a -14% contraction during the financial crisis to steady 5% growth over the past decade, has resulted in Indonesia contributing 3.5% to global greenhouse gas emissions (as noted in the World Bank Group 2023 report).
(Photo Credit: Mufti Warits)
Addressing these pressing issues, Mr. Diaz Faisal Malik Hendropriyono, B.Sc., M.P.A., M.B.A., Special Staff to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, authored Dangerous Humans: Towards Zero Emissions and delivered a guest lecture at BINUS University’s Anggrek Campus, where he spoke to over 400 students from different majors, both on-site and online.
The lecture was a powerful call to action for students, empowering them to recognize their pivotal role in contributing to solutions that address global environmental challenges. As future leaders, Mr. Diaz urged students to be mindful of their ecological footprint and take active roles in reducing environmental impacts through innovation, awareness, and responsible lifestyle choices.
(Photo Credit: Mufti Warits)
“Humans are pivotal in contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through deforestation and extensive fossil fuel usage. This is evident in rising electricity consumption, the construction of residential and office spaces that deplete green areas, increasing fuel demand for transportation, and the growing need for food,” Mr. Diaz added.
The rise in greenhouse gas emissions leads to increasing temperatures, resulting in land dryness and a water crisis in various regions of Indonesia during the dry season. This situation impacts crop failures and disrupts national food security. If these conditions persist, it will significantly affect the health of the Indonesian population and drastically lower our quality of life.
(Photo Credit: Mufti Warits)
The topic of climate change has captured the attention of our students. Tia, studying Taxation, asked Mr. Diaz, who is involved in designing policies, about her concerns regarding the mining sector in Indonesia: “What initiatives is the Indonesian government pursuing to reduce emissions without jeopardizing the economic stability of those working in the mining sector?”
“Indonesia is committed to playing an active role in cutting emissions by 29%, aiming to reach a target of 41% by 2030 with the support of international cooperation. One of the initiatives involves reducing the consumption of raw coal. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) already has a Road Map for Coal Development and Utilization to advance sustainable coal processing practices,” Mr. Diaz elaborated.
(Photo Credit: Mufti Warits)
Although numerous climate change issues were not covered in this lecture, our students clearly received significant knowledge about current trends in climate change, particularly in Indonesia. They gained insights into how human actions contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and identified the diverse efforts made by the government to meet its emission reduction goals.
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