Helena Joyce
Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, has been dubbed the world's most polluted city. The city's air pollution reached unprecedented levels in 2023, posing a significant health risk to its residents. The primary sources of Jakarta's pollution are vehicle emissions and coal-fired power plants. The city's geography and meteorological conditions, such as low wind speeds, high temperatures, and lack of rainfall, also contribute to the build-up of pollutants in the atmosphere. The Indonesian government has been criticised for its inaction and lack of cooperation in addressing the issue. Citizens have resorted to legal action, winning a landmark lawsuit in 2021 against the government for its failure to tackle air pollution. The government's proposed solutions, such as encouraging the use of electric vehicles, are often short-term and unrealistic. The pollution in Jakarta has severe health impacts, with thousands of deaths, hospitalizations, and adverse health outcomes in children attributed to air pollution each year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution ranking | Jakarta was named the most polluted city on Earth in August 2023 |
| Cause of air pollution | Vehicle emissions, coal-fired power plants, meteorological conditions, and high emissions from the transport and industry sectors |
| Health impact | Respiratory illnesses, infant deaths, childhood stunting, low birth weight, premature births, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, lung cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, lower respiratory infection, cardiovascular disease |
| Economic impact | Approximately USD 2943.42 million in health impact costs |
| Government response | The Indonesian government has been criticised for inaction and appealed a 2021 court ruling that found them liable for improving air quality |
| Citizen response | Jakarta citizens filed a lawsuit against the government in 2019 and won a landmark case in 2021; citizens have also campaigned against air pollution |
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What You'll Learn
- Jakarta's air pollution is a human rights failure by the Indonesian government
- The city's pollution is caused by vehicle emissions, coal-fired power plants, and meteorological conditions
- Air pollution in Jakarta leads to adverse health outcomes, including respiratory illnesses and infant deaths
- Citizens have taken legal action against the government for their inaction on improving air quality
- Efforts to reduce traffic volume and encourage the use of public transportation have had limited success
Jakarta's air pollution is a human rights failure by the Indonesian government
Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, has been dubbed the world's "most polluted city." The city's air pollution has reached unprecedented levels, posing a severe threat to the health of its residents and resulting in thousands of deaths. This crisis is a blatant human rights violation by the Indonesian government, which has failed to take meaningful action to address the issue.
The primary sources of Jakarta's air pollution are vehicle emissions and coal-fired power plants. The city's administration has blamed the pollution solely on vehicle emissions, while denying the impact of the numerous coal-fired power plants surrounding the city. However, the Indonesian government's inaction and defensive response to the crisis have been criticized by activists and residents alike. In 2019, a group of Jakarta citizens filed a lawsuit against the government for its failure to address air pollution, and in 2021, a court found the government liable for improving air quality. Despite this, the administration of President Joko Widodo chose to appeal the decision instead of taking concrete steps to reduce pollution.
The government's proposed solutions have been short-term and ineffective. While they have encouraged the use of electric vehicles, the high price of EVs remains a significant barrier for most citizens. The government has also failed to acknowledge the role of coal-powered electricity generation, which is still the predominant source of electricity in the country. The media, environmentalists, and international watchdogs have all expressed concern over the government's lack of urgency and effectiveness in tackling the pollution crisis.
The impact of Jakarta's air pollution on public health has been devastating. It has been linked to respiratory ailments, with more than 630,000 cases recorded in the first half of 2023. Even President Joko Widodo himself has suffered from a persistent cough, demonstrating that no one is immune to the harmful effects of the city's poor air quality. Additionally, a study has estimated that air pollution in Jakarta results in over 7,000 adverse health outcomes in children, over 10,000 deaths, and over 5,000 hospitalizations annually, with a total economic cost of approximately USD 2.9 billion.
The Indonesian government's inaction and failure to prioritize the well-being of its citizens constitute a human rights violation. The government has a responsibility to ensure the right to good and healthy living conditions for its people. By neglecting its obligations and refusing to address the air pollution crisis in Jakarta, the government has put the lives and health of millions of its citizens at risk. It is imperative that the government takes swift and effective measures to reduce air pollution and protect the human rights of its residents.
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The city's pollution is caused by vehicle emissions, coal-fired power plants, and meteorological conditions
Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, has been ranked as the world's most polluted city by Swiss company IQAir. The city's pollution is caused by a combination of factors, including vehicle emissions, coal-fired power plants, and meteorological conditions.
Vehicle emissions are a significant contributor to Jakarta's poor air quality. The city's dense population and high number of vehicles lead to elevated levels of pollutants from the transport sector, particularly during rush hour. The combustion of fossil fuels, such as diesel and petrol, releases harmful particles and gases into the atmosphere, including nitrogen oxide, methane, and volatile organic compounds. These emissions are a major source of ground-level ozone, a hazardous pollutant that can impact lung and heart function and is experienced as a haze. To combat this, the government has implemented initiatives to reduce emissions from mobile sources, such as encouraging the use of electric vehicles and expanding mass transit systems.
Coal-fired power plants located near Jakarta also play a significant role in the city's pollution levels. The burning of coal releases various pollutants into the air, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), black carbon, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. According to studies, the proximity of these power plants to the city has a detrimental impact on the health of its residents. Senior analyst Raditya Yudha Wiranegara from the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) identified eight coal-fired power plants in the vicinity of Jakarta, with five of them having the most significant impact on health. The early retirement of these plants and the installation of emission control devices have been suggested as possible solutions to mitigate their impact.
Meteorological conditions in Jakarta further exacerbate the city's pollution levels, particularly during the dry season from June to August. Low wind speeds, hotter temperatures, lack of rainfall, and increased sunshine create an atmosphere that traps pollutants close to the surface. The natural thinning of the troposphere's planetary boundary layer weakens winds, especially during the evenings, leading to the buildup of PM2.5 and other harmful pollutants. El Niño events, as warned by the BMKG in June 2023, can further decrease rainfall intensity and create ideal conditions for pollution to thrive. These meteorological factors, combined with high human emissions, result in dangerous spikes in pollution during specific months.
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Air pollution in Jakarta leads to adverse health outcomes, including respiratory illnesses and infant deaths
Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, has been named the most polluted city globally, with air pollution levels spiking in June, July, and August due to meteorological conditions and high emissions from transport and industry. This hazardous blend of factors has severe health consequences for Jakarta's over 10 million residents, including adverse health outcomes in children and adults.
The air pollution in Jakarta has been linked to a range of respiratory illnesses. A study by Resosudarmo & Napitupulu predicted 7,900 deaths due to air pollution in 2015. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified air pollution as a significant environmental risk factor for morbidity and mortality, including respiratory diseases. In 2019, the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study estimated that air pollution caused 5,054 deaths in Jakarta. Additionally, a study examining the impact of air pollution on health and economic costs in Jakarta found that daily exposure to air pollution was associated with over 5,000 hospitalizations in a year, with exposure to PM2.5 accounting for almost 3,500 of these cases.
The high levels of air pollution in Jakarta have also been associated with infant deaths and adverse birth outcomes. The same study found that annual exposure to PM2.5 caused 330 infant deaths and 700 infants with adverse birth outcomes. Additionally, the study identified over 7,000 adverse health outcomes in children, including childhood stunting, low birth weight, and premature births, attributable to air pollution each year in Jakarta.
The Indonesian government has been criticized for its inaction on air pollution, with a court ruling in 2021 holding the government liable for improving air quality. However, the administration of President Joko Widodo, himself a victim of respiratory illness due to poor air quality, chose to appeal the ruling instead of taking concrete action. The government blames vehicle emissions for the problem while denying the impact of coal-fired power plants surrounding the city.
The health impacts of Jakarta's air pollution are severe and far-reaching, affecting both children and adults. It is crucial for the government and relevant authorities to address this issue urgently and implement effective measures to reduce air pollution levels and mitigate its adverse health effects.
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Citizens have taken legal action against the government for their inaction on improving air quality
Jakarta, Indonesia, has been named the most polluted city on Earth, with air pollution reaching dire levels. The city's pollution is caused by a combination of meteorological conditions and high emissions, mostly from the transport and industry sectors. The dry season, from May to September, sees residents exposed to dangerously high levels of pollution, with PM2.5 pollutants as high as 80 μg/m3. The city has about 25 million motorized vehicles, and in 2019, a study showed that during the dry season, up to 57% of PM2.5 emissions came from vehicles.
In the face of government inaction, Jakarta's citizens have taken legal action to address the city's air pollution crisis. In 2019, a group of citizens filed a lawsuit against the Indonesian government for their inaction on air pollution. The Central District Court in Jakarta ruled that the government had been negligent in fulfilling its duties under the country's environmental protection laws and ordered the government to improve the city's air quality. The court's decision was a historic milestone for cleaner air in the capital and a significant step in making air quality a political priority. However, the government appealed the ruling, prompting criticism from activists and plaintiffs alike.
The plaintiffs expressed their willingness to participate in the formulation of air quality action plans and other policies necessary to ensure clean and safe air for Jakarta's residents. They also worked with organizations like the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law and the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation to push the government to put their plan into action. The Jakarta High Court rejected the government's appeal in 2022, reaffirming the lower court's ruling that the government had been negligent in ensuring the right to good and healthy living conditions.
The citizen lawsuit and subsequent court rulings sent a strong message to the Indonesian government about the seriousness of the air pollution crisis in Jakarta and the need to take meaningful action. The victory also highlighted the power of citizens to hold their government accountable through legal means when necessary. While the legal battle has been ongoing, Jakarta's residents continue to suffer the health consequences of breathing polluted air, with more than 630,000 cases of respiratory ailments recorded in the first half of 2023 alone.
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Efforts to reduce traffic volume and encourage the use of public transportation have had limited success
Jakarta, Indonesia's sprawling capital, has earned the unfortunate title of the world's most polluted city. Vehicle emissions are blamed for the poor air quality, which has contributed to a sharp rise in respiratory ailments.
To address this issue, the city has implemented various measures to reduce traffic volume and encourage public transportation use. In the lead-up to the 2018 Asian Games, an odd-even policy was imposed, allowing only cars with odd or even-numbered license plates on certain main streets. This reduced the number of cars and increased average vehicle speeds. The city also encouraged commuters to use public transportation, with a notable increase in Transjakarta bus network passengers. However, these efforts had limited success, as Jakarta's air quality remained poor during the sports event, with some athletes complaining about the pollution.
Jakarta's heavy reliance on private motorized transportation, with 70% of residents using cars, has exacerbated traffic congestion. The city has implemented programs to improve mass transportation and integrate it with other transit modes, such as the transit-oriented development concept. The development of a Bus Rapid Transit system (Transjakarta) in 2004 and the establishment of the city's first BRT corridor cutting through the city center were significant steps. The commuter rail system has also shown success, serving 900,000 passengers per day in 2019.
However, public transportation use in Jakarta remains low, at only 22%. The emergence of ride-hailing apps like Gojek has provided an alternative to public transportation, but it has also contributed to the preference for private motorized transport. The government's decision to allow Gojek to continue operating after protests from drivers showed their support for this transportation regime.
To promote public transportation, the city has implemented cashless payment systems, improved station facilities, and introduced free rides with specific cards. Additionally, Jakarta is constructing bicycle lanes, with a target of 500 kilometers by 2030, to encourage non-motorized transport. While these efforts are encouraging, it remains to be seen if they will significantly reduce pollution and congestion.
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Frequently asked questions
Jakarta has been named the most polluted city on Earth.
The Indonesian government blames vehicle emissions, while activists point to the more than a dozen coal-fired power plants surrounding the city. Other factors include meteorological conditions, such as lack of rainfall, increased sunshine, and low wind speeds, which combine with high emissions to produce dangerously high levels of pollution.
Jakarta's air pollution has contributed to respiratory ailments, with more than 630,000 cases recorded in the first six months of 2023. A study found that air pollution in Jakarta resulted in over 7,000 adverse health outcomes in children, over 10,000 deaths, and over 5,000 hospitalizations annually.
Efforts to reduce traffic volume and encourage the use of public transportation have been attempted in the past, but with limited success. Citizens have also filed lawsuits against the government for inaction, and in 2021, a court found the government liable for improving air quality. However, the government has been criticized for its lack of meaningful progress and short-term solutions.
People can stay informed about real-time air pollution levels through various online maps and plugins, such as the World Air Quality Index and IQAir. Additionally, individuals can choose to reduce their personal contributions to emissions by considering alternative forms of transportation or reducing their energy consumption.
