Brian Barton
Jakarta has long been considered one of the most polluted cities in the world, with air pollution causing more than 10,000 deaths and 5,000 hospitalizations for cardio-respiratory diseases annually. The problem has been attributed to various factors, including vehicular emissions, industrial activities, urban development, and the burning of coal. While the Indonesian government has been criticized for its lack of urgency in addressing the issue, there are now signs of movement, with President Joko Widodo stating that the solution may be to build a new capital in Kalimantan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution ranking | Ranked the most polluted city in the world by Swiss technology company IQAir |
| Air pollution causes | Vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, burning coal, construction activities, urban development, ground-level ozone, meteorological conditions, El Niño, human emissions |
| Air pollution effects | More than 10,000 deaths per year, 5,000 hospitalizations for cardio-respiratory diseases, more than 7,000 adverse outcomes in children, economic cost of approximately USD 2.94 billion |
| Government measures | Building a new national capital in Borneo, random emission tests for vehicles, fining or revoking licenses of drivers who fail emission tests, pollution tax for vehicles, weather manipulation programs to induce rain, work-from-home policies for government civil servants, investing in public transport |
| Government criticism | Lack of urgency in addressing the problem, downplaying the severity of the issue, resistance to calls for action |
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What You'll Learn
Jakarta's air pollution is a persistent problem
Jakarta has long struggled with air pollution, and in 2023, it was named the most polluted city globally by a Swiss technology company, IQAir. The city's air pollution has been attributed to various factors, including vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and urban development.
Vehicular emissions are a significant contributor to Jakarta's air pollution. As the city has grown richer and urbanized, more cars and motorbikes have been added to the streets, leading to increased emissions of carbon monoxide and other toxic gases. Traffic congestion is a constant issue in Jakarta, and the high number of vehicles on the road contributes to the poor air quality.
In addition to vehicular emissions, Jakarta's surrounding industrial zones emit pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and other toxins. Inadequate emissions controls and monitoring have allowed these industrial pollutants to accumulate, further deteriorating air quality. The city still burns coal, the most polluting of fossil fuels, and there are more than a dozen coal-fired power plants in the area.
The dry season also plays a role in exacerbating air pollution in Jakarta. During this period, a lack of moisture in the atmosphere and meteorological conditions combine with high emissions to produce dangerously high pollution levels. El Niño, for example, has been known to decrease rainfall intensity and prolong the dry season, leading to even higher pollution levels.
The health impacts of Jakarta's air pollution are significant. Each year, air pollution causes more than 10,000 deaths, 5,000 hospitalizations for cardio-respiratory diseases, and more than 7,000 adverse outcomes in children. The economic cost of air pollution in Jakarta is also substantial, amounting to approximately USD 2,943.42 million (2.2% of Jakarta Province GRDP).
Despite the severity of the problem, the Indonesian government has been slow to address Jakarta's air pollution. In 2021, a court ruled that the government was liable for improving air quality, but the administration chose to appeal instead of taking action. It was only when President Joko Widodo himself fell ill from breathing dirty air in 2023 that the government began to show more urgency, announcing a range of measures to tackle air pollution, including random emission tests for vehicles and the promotion of clean energy.
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Vehicular emissions are a primary contributor
Jakarta has been named the most polluted city on Earth, with air pollution spiking during the months of June, July, and August. The Indonesian capital has seen its residents, including President Joko Widodo, suffer from some of the worst air pollution recorded anywhere in the world. The root causes of Jakarta's pollution include traffic congestion and the emission of pollutants from the city's industrial zones.
Vehicular emissions were the largest source of pollution in Jakarta, contributing 32 to 41 percent of air pollution during the wet season and 42 to 57 percent during the dry season. A 2019 study by the Jakarta Environment Agency and Vital Strategies confirmed this, highlighting motorized vehicles as major contributors to the heavy smog choking the city.
To combat this issue, the Jakarta administration has implemented vehicle emissions testing and is considering stricter emissions controls for each vehicle traveling in the city. New emissions test locations are being established in Bogor, Bekasi, Depok, Tangerang, and Banten. The government has also started investing in public transport, aiming to connect the city by adding new routes to the transportation network.
In addition to these measures, promoting walking and cycling infrastructure, such as bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets, could help reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Implementing reforestation and afforestation programs within the city to increase green cover and reduce pollution levels is another step that could signal a change in approach.
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Industrial zones emit toxins like sulfur dioxide
Jakarta, Indonesia's bustling capital, is known for its vibrant culture and economic opportunities. However, it has also gained notoriety for its poor air quality, consistently ranking among the most polluted cities globally. The air pollution in Jakarta is driven by various factors, including vehicular emissions, industrial activities, urban development, and meteorological conditions.
Industrial zones in and around Jakarta emit pollutants like sulfur dioxide and other toxins, significantly contributing to the city's air pollution crisis. The manufacturing industry and the energy sector are the second and third largest contributors to PM2.5 emissions in the provincial Jakarta district. These sectors are also the biggest contributors to secondary pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, which combine with other emissions to form PM2.5 and ground-level ozone pollution.
Coal-fired power plants, processing plants burning coal for palm oil and food production, and fossil fuel use in shipping, aviation, and the commercial and residential sectors are additional sources of air pollution. Inadequate emissions controls and monitoring have allowed industrial pollutants to accumulate, further deteriorating Jakarta's air quality.
The impact of industrial emissions on air quality is exacerbated during the dry season, when a lack of moisture in the atmosphere, hotter temperatures, low rainfall, increased sunshine, and low wind speeds combine with high emissions to produce dangerously high pollution levels. The natural thinning of the troposphere's planetary boundary layer during the evening further weakens winds, trapping pollutants in the air.
To address the issue of industrial pollution in Jakarta, the government must take a multifaceted approach. This includes implementing stricter emission standards for industries, promoting sustainable industrial practices, and prioritizing clean air actions. Learning from the successes of other cities, such as Beijing, which improved its air quality through a crackdown on factories and the relocation of industrial facilities, can provide valuable insights for Jakarta's fight against air pollution.
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Inadequate emissions controls and monitoring
Jakarta, Indonesia's bustling capital, is a city known for its vibrant culture and economic opportunities. However, in August 2023, the city was ranked the most polluted city in the world by Swiss technology company IQAir. Air pollution in Jakarta has been a persistent problem for years, threatening the health and well-being of its residents. The city's surrounding industrial zones emit pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and other toxins, and inadequate emissions controls and monitoring have allowed these pollutants to accumulate, further deteriorating air quality.
The energy infrastructure in East Java, which neighbours Jakarta, is inadequate and scarce, making it difficult to monitor, regulate, and enforce regulations. This infrastructure inadequacy is partly due to government omission failure, as the government becomes a central source of the problem. There is a lack of infrastructure to support the region's cement industry, which is a significant contributor to carbon dioxide emissions. Previous studies have pointed to the limitations of decarbonizing infrastructure in the region.
The government has indeed identified regulators as the critical agents for controlling emissions. However, weak law enforcement and inadequate infrastructure have hindered the implementation of emissions control policies. Existing regulations are considered insufficient by firms, and there is a need to improve the monitoring of policy implementation. The government has proposed improving regulations, enhancing the monitoring of environmental recovery costs, and focusing on polluters as the main agents to address the issue.
To effectively tackle air pollution in Jakarta, a multifaceted approach is required, combining regulatory measures, sustainable urban planning, and community engagement. By taking decisive action to reduce vehicular emissions, promote clean energy, and enhance green spaces, Jakarta can significantly improve air quality and provide a healthier environment for its citizens. Implementing reforestation and afforestation programs, integrating green building practices, and offering incentives for adopting cleaner technologies can all contribute to reducing pollution levels in the city.
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Health and economic burdens of air pollution
Air pollution in Jakarta has been a persistent problem for years, threatening the health and well-being of its residents. A study conducted in 2018 and 2019 quantified the health and economic impacts of air pollution in Jakarta, specifically focusing on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone (O3).
The study found that over 7,000 adverse health outcomes in children, more than 10,000 deaths, and 5,000 hospitalizations could be attributed to air pollution each year in Jakarta. The annual total cost of the health impact of air pollution in the city reached approximately USD 2943.42 million. This includes the costs associated with adverse health outcomes in children, such as infant deaths, childhood stunting, low birth weight, and premature birth.
The high levels of pollution in Jakarta are caused by a combination of factors, including vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and the burning of coal. Vehicular emissions are a significant contributor, as the number of cars and motorbikes in the city has increased with urbanization. In addition, Jakarta's surrounding industrial zones emit pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and other toxins, which have a detrimental impact on air quality.
To address the problem, Jakarta has implemented various measures, including vehicle emission testing, random emissions checks, and work-from-home policies for government civil servants. The government has also invested in public transport and promoted walking and cycling infrastructure. However, more needs to be done to tackle the issue effectively, including sustainable urban planning, community engagement, and the adoption of cleaner technologies.
The health and economic burdens of air pollution in Jakarta are significant, and it is crucial to prioritize clean air actions to protect the health of its residents.
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Frequently asked questions
Jakarta has been facing pollution problems for years, and it has recently hit dire levels, with the city being named the most polluted in the world.
The main causes of pollution in Jakarta are vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, and the burning of coal.
Pollution in Jakarta has caused a range of adverse health effects, including respiratory illnesses, cardio-respiratory diseases, and adverse birth outcomes. It is estimated that air pollution causes more than 10,000 deaths and 5,000 hospitalizations in Jakarta each year.
The government has implemented measures such as random emission tests for vehicles, fining or revoking the licenses of drivers who fail, mandating vehicle emission testing, and conducting random emissions checks. They have also considered a pollution tax for vehicles and weather manipulation programs to induce rain.
In addition to the transportation fixes, there is a need for better urban planning and more green spaces in Jakarta. Implementing reforestation and afforestation programs and integrating green building practices into urban development can help reduce pollution levels.
