Indonesia's Air Pollution: Understanding The Root Causes

Indonesia has been struggling with air pollution for years, with the problem worsening in 2024 as the country ranked 15th out of 138 countries for poor air quality. The primary cause of this pollution is forest fires, with nearly 5,000 fires burning simultaneously in October 2015, emitting approximately 80 million metric tons of CO2 in a single day. The remaining pollution is produced by the transportation and energy sectors, with Jakarta being surrounded by industrial areas, making the city particularly vulnerable to transboundary air pollution. The human cost of this pollution is severe, with respiratory infections, chronic illnesses, and even premature deaths on the rise.

Forest fires

Indonesia's air has been heavily polluted for years, with forest fires being the primary source of this pollution. The country experienced one of its most destructive fire seasons in 2015, with nearly 5,000 fires burning simultaneously across forests and peatlands. In just one day, these fires emitted approximately 80 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)—five times the average daily emissions of the entire US economy. The haze from these fires is an annual occurrence, releasing greenhouse gases on a monumental scale.

Forest and peatland fires are common in Indonesia during the dry season, and the situation can be exacerbated by a combination of factors, including climate change. As an archipelago nation, Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming, including increased risks of drought, flooding, landslides, and rising sea levels. Higher emissions of CO2 have caused rapidly worsening air pollution, which has severe implications for both the environment and people's health. Research has shown that exposure to high levels of air pollution during pregnancy can lead to reduced growth, low birth weight, and preterm delivery. In Jakarta, poor air quality has been linked to acute respiratory infections and chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.

The Indonesian government has been criticized for its handling of the air pollution crisis. Citizens have demanded stricter policies and more effective monitoring of the situation, with the current regulations dating back to 1999 and not reflecting the worsening levels of air quality. The government has tightened emission standards for certain industries, but enforcement of these regulations remains a challenge.

The social, economic, and ecological implications of forest fires and the resulting air pollution in Indonesia are far-reaching. In addition to the health risks, the pollution has also led to school closures, affecting millions of students. The recurring nature of the problem underscores the need for long-term plans and policy prescriptions to combat emissions and climate change.

Energy and transportation emissions

Indonesia's air has been heavily polluted for years, with forest fires being the main source of this pollution. The energy and transportation sectors are also significant contributors.

Energy production in Indonesia, particularly in the form of coal-fired power plants, is a major source of air pollution. The country's 35,000-megawatt development project is predicted to cause a significant increase in premature deaths due to impending air pollution from these power plants. The hazardous gases and particles produced by these plants can travel hundreds of kilometres, affecting not just the immediate surroundings but also distant cities like Jakarta.

The Indonesian government has implemented regulations to control emissions from factories, with the Environment Ministry director stating that they are continuously tightening these standards. However, enforcement of these regulations remains a challenge. The government is also facing legal pressure from its citizens, with groups like the 57-citizen coalition demanding stricter policies and improved monitoring of air pollution.

The transportation sector also contributes significantly to Indonesia's air pollution. Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, is surrounded by industrial areas, making it particularly vulnerable to transboundary air pollution. The city regularly ranks as one of the most polluted cities globally, with its residents facing a high risk of respiratory and cardiovascular health issues due to poor air quality.

The combination of energy production and transportation emissions, along with other sources of pollution, has severe consequences for Indonesia's environment and public health. The country is facing a dual challenge of reducing emissions and adapting to the worsening impacts of climate change, which include increased risks of drought, flooding, landslides, and disease.

Industrial areas and factories

Indonesia has been struggling with air pollution for years. The country's air pollution is mainly caused by forest fires, with the transportation and energy production sectors contributing the rest. However, industrial areas and factories surrounding the Indonesian capital of Jakarta have also been identified as significant contributors to the country's poor air quality.

The hazardous gases and particles produced by these factories and power plants can travel hundreds of kilometres, easily reaching Jakarta. As a result, the city is constantly subjected to transboundary air pollution, regardless of wind direction. The situation has led to increased health risks for Jakarta's residents, with research indicating that those working outdoors in the city have a high risk of experiencing acute respiratory infections and chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.

The Indonesian government has recognised the problem and is working to address it. The Environment Ministry director, Chaniago, stated that they have been tightening emission regulations for various industries. For instance, stricter emission standards were imposed on the cement industry in 2019, and the standards for the fertiliser industry were recently updated.

Despite these efforts, enforcement of the regulations remains a challenge. Professor Lestari, an environmental engineering expert, noted that while regulations exist to control emission levels from factories, ensuring compliance is a different matter. The lack of comprehensive monitoring and enforcement has contributed to the persistent air pollution issues in Jakarta and other affected areas.

The social and economic implications of air pollution in Indonesia are severe. In addition to the health risks, poor air quality also impacts the education sector. According to the Ministry of Education and Culture, more than 46,000 schools are currently affected by poor air quality, disrupting the education of over 7.8 million students.

Climate change

Indonesia is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. As an archipelago nation, it is susceptible to rising sea levels, tropical storm surges, and increased risks of drought, flooding, landslides, fires, and disease. The country has already experienced some of the worst side effects of climate change, including worsening air pollution, which has severe human and economic costs.

The average life expectancy of Indonesian residents is reduced by 2.3 years due to air pollution. In 2015, the haze caused over 75,000 cases of upper respiratory infections, and a 2010 study found that 57.8% of Jakarta's population suffered from diseases related to air pollution, including bronchial asthma, bronchopneumonia, and coronary artery disease. The situation is especially dire for children, with UNICEF warning that poor air quality affects babies even before they are born, increasing the likelihood of reduced growth in utero, low birth weight, and preterm delivery. In addition, millions of children are forced to miss school due to air pollution, resulting in lifelong physical and cognitive damage.

Indonesia's emissions come primarily from land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF), including forest fires and peat degradation. In October 2015, nearly 5,000 fires burned simultaneously across forests and peatlands, releasing approximately 80 million metric tons of CO2 in a single day—five times the average daily emissions of the entire US economy. The remaining emissions come from the transportation and energy production sectors, with Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, being surrounded by industrial areas, power plants, and factories that produce hazardous gases and particles.

The Indonesian government has been criticized for its inadequate response to air pollution. While there are regulations in place to control emissions, enforcement is lacking, and the current regulations do not reflect the effects of climate change and worsening air quality. Citizens have taken legal action against the government, demanding stricter policies, improved monitoring, and transparency in air quality data.

To mitigate the impacts of climate change and reduce air pollution, Indonesia must act urgently to address the root causes, improve emission standards, and prioritize sustainable practices.

Inadequate government policies

Indonesia's air pollution problem is not new, and the country's air has been heavily polluted for years. The air quality is gradually getting worse, and in 2019, Indonesia ranked as the 6th most polluted country out of 98 countries worldwide. The primary sources of air pollution in Indonesia are forest fires, and the transportation and energy production sectors.

The Indonesian government has been criticised for its inadequate policies and enforcement regarding air pollution. The current regulation dates back to 1999 and is not aligned with the evolving climate change landscape and worsening air quality. Citizens are demanding that the government adopt stricter policies and improve the monitoring of air pollution, with the results made accessible to the public.

The government's monitoring of air pollution has been questioned, with Greenpeace activist Andiyanu highlighting the limitations of the equipment used and the insufficient number of monitoring stations. The Indonesian government's data collection methods have also been called into question, as they do not utilise the globally accepted AQI (Air Quality Index) standard. This inconsistency in data collection impacts policy-making, as accurate data is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat air pollution.

While the Environment Ministry claims to tighten regulations and impose stricter emission standards, the enforcement of these regulations remains a challenge. The discrepancy between policy and implementation contributes to the persistent air pollution issue in Indonesia.

The social, economic, and ecological implications of air pollution are significant. The human cost is evident in the increased respiratory infections and chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases among Jakarta's residents. The high emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from forest fires and industrial activities further exacerbate the problem, impacting both the environment and people's health.

Indonesia, as an archipelago nation, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming, including increased risks of drought, flooding, landslides, and disease. The government's inadequate policies and slow response to climate change contribute to the country's vulnerability and the worsening air pollution crisis.

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