Publications·December 23, 2016
This document is an excerpt based on research conducted by UNEP in 2015 detailing country-level policies that impact air quality in Indonesia. Air pollution is a significant issue, particularly in urban areas, with challenges stemming from transport, poor fuel and vehicle standards, open burning of wastes, and limited enforcement. While the country monitors air quality, national standards for Ozone, SO2, and NO2 fail to meet WHO Guidelines, although PM10 and PM2.5 meet WHO Interim Target 1. Key regulatory measures include Government Regulation No. 41/1999 on Air Pollution Control. Industrial emissions, originating from sectors such as mining (coal, gold), petroleum, cement, and automobile manufacturing, are addressed by regulations like MoE Regulation No. 21/2008, which requires thermal power plants to install a Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS). However, monitoring and enforcement may be insufficient, and corruption presents a hindrance. The national energy profile is dominated by coal (42%), and national energy policy targets an increase in both coal and natural gas by 2025, while aiming for a 4.4% share of renewable energy. Transport challenges involve the increased growth in private vehicles, low Euro 2 vehicle emission limits, and high fuel sulphur content (3,500 ppm). Efforts to improve transport include the Transjakarta Busway, promotion of electric vehicles, and the Low-Cost Green Car initiative, though a tax regime often disfavors environmentally sustainable vehicles. Outdoor open burning of waste accounts for 35% of waste management and, along with agricultural land clearing, is a serious contributor to regional haze; despite a legal prohibition under the 1999 Forestry Law, weak enforcement persists. Indoor air quality is critical because 40% of the population relies on biomass, contributing to an estimated 45,000 deaths annually; while there is no regulation for indoor air pollution, programmes are underway to expand the electrification rate and promote cleaner cooking via the Kerosene-to-LPG Conversion Programme.