Indonesia's Air Pollution Crisis: Understanding The Causes

Indonesia, the world's largest island nation, is facing a severe air pollution crisis that affects millions across its vast archipelago. In 2023, Indonesia's air quality declined, particularly in its capital, Jakarta, and major cities on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. The country's pollution problem is driven by various factors, including transportation, industrial activities, power generation, open burning, and agricultural regions such as the infamous slash-and-burn methods that cause forest and peatland fires. The severity of Indonesia's air pollution has left a lasting impression on many, with Jakarta gaining global notoriety as one of the most polluted cities worldwide.

Forest fires and slash-and-burn practices

Indonesia's air pollution crisis is pervasive across the country, with Tangerang, Jakarta, and Bandung frequently ranking among the most polluted cities globally. Forest fires and slash-and-burn practices are significant contributors to this crisis.

Indonesia is one of the world's top ten countries in terms of forest area, and it is also home to the world's third most significant variety of tree species. However, its vast forest resources are under constant threat from fires, with human activities contributing to 98% of these fires. The infamous haze from these forest fires, driven by slash-and-burn practices, not only chokes Indonesia but also spreads across borders, affecting the entire Southeast Asian region.

Slash-and-burn practices are commonly used to clear land for agriculture, especially for oil palm plantations. Fire is a cheaper and easier method of clearing land, but it releases massive amounts of smoke and pollutants into the air. The burning of forests, especially peatlands, releases large amounts of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. In 2019, forest fires in Indonesia affected over 1.6 million hectares of land and released an estimated 708 million tons of CO2, exceeding the annual emissions of the entire United Kingdom.

The Indonesian government has implemented various measures to address the issue of forest fires and slash-and-burn practices. They have established sub-directorate bodies, conducted public education initiatives, enforced environmental taxes and fines, and engaged with NGOs and international entities. The Ministry of Forestry patrols forest areas, uses satellite imagery, and watchtowers to prevent fires. However, inconsistent regulations and the sheer size of Indonesia's territory have hindered the effective prevention and management of fires.

The impact of forest fires is devastating, with millions of people, especially in Kalimantan and Sumatra, suffering from pervasive air pollution. Studies have shown that exposure to high pollution levels during pregnancy increases the risks of complicated births and growth-related issues for infants. Additionally, incidences of foetal and infant deaths were found to be significantly higher in economically disadvantaged areas.

Lack of government intervention

Indonesia's air pollution crisis is not a new phenomenon, and it affects the entire country, from the industrial centres of Java to the agricultural regions of Sumatra and Kalimantan. The country's air quality has been worsening over the years, with Tangerang, Jakarta, and Bandung frequently ranking among the most polluted cities globally. In 2019, Indonesia was the sixth most polluted country out of 98 countries worldwide, and the situation has not improved significantly since then.

The Indonesian government has been criticised for its lack of intervention to address the country's air pollution crisis. In 2022, citizens of Jakarta filed a lawsuit against the government for its inaction on air pollution. Activists have described the government's response to the air pollution crisis as "belligerent inaction," even in the face of a ruling by the nation's top court ordering it to take action. The government has questioned the accuracy of air quality data presented by activists and Greenpeace Indonesia, rather than focusing on implementing solutions. This denial and stalling on taking responsibility have contributed to the perception of government inaction.

The current air pollution regulation in Indonesia dates back to 1999 and does not consider the evolving impacts of climate change and worsening air quality. There is a pressing need for the government to adopt stricter policies and regulations regarding air pollution. Citizens are demanding that the government improve the monitoring of air quality and make the data readily available to the public. The installation of Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) in all relevant facilities for major pollutants is one suggested measure to improve compliance and enforcement.

Additionally, there is a call for stronger regulation and control of land management by the government. Guidelines for the use of State Forest Land and the introduction of limited permits for exploration of peatlands and forested areas are necessary. The government should also consider licensing new developments and enforcing strict checking and enforcement to protect Indonesia's forest carbon stock. Sustainable forest management, conservation, and rehabilitation of degraded areas are crucial steps to mitigate air pollution caused by deforestation and land fires.

The Indonesian government's lack of intervention has had significant health and economic impacts. Studies have shown that air pollution in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, has resulted in economic losses of up to 2.2% of the province's GDRP. The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) estimates that air pollution in Indonesia reduces life expectancy by an average of 2.3 years, with some regions experiencing even more significant reductions in life expectancy due to chronic exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

Poor land management

Indonesia's poor land management is a significant contributor to its air pollution crisis. The country's vast archipelago comprises over 17,000 islands, with a population of approximately 267 million people. The pressure on land resources is immense, and poor land management practices have exacerbated the problem of air pollution.

One of the main issues is the Indonesian government's failure to regulate and control land management effectively. There is a lack of guidelines and permits regarding the use of State Forest Land and exploration of peatlands and forested areas. Without proper regulations and restrictions, these areas are vulnerable to unsustainable practices and exploitation.

The annual occurrence of forest and peatland fires, often started to clear land for agriculture, produces massive amounts of haze that not only affect Indonesia but also spread to neighbouring countries. In 2019, these fires affected over 1.6 million hectares of land, releasing an estimated 708 million tons of CO2. The Indonesian government's inaction and lack of intervention have been criticized, with citizens taking legal action to demand stricter policies and improved monitoring of air pollution.

The impact of poor land management on air quality is evident in Indonesia's Air Quality Index (AQI) rankings. In 2019, the country ranked as the 6th most polluted country worldwide, with cities like South Tangerang and Pekanbaru consistently recording "Unhealthy" or "Very unhealthy" air quality levels. The average US AQI figure for 2019 was 141, with levels of PM2.5 being 5 times the World Health Organization's (WHO) exposure recommendation.

Industrial centres and urban anthropogenic sources

Indonesia's air pollution crisis is not confined to its capital, Jakarta, but extends across the country, from the industrial centres of Java to the agricultural regions of Sumatra and Kalimantan. The country's air quality is influenced by a range of urban anthropogenic sources, which are human-made pollution sources that contribute to the degradation of air quality in populated areas. These sources include transportation, industrial activities, power generation, open burning, and residential emissions.

The industrial centres of Java contribute significantly to the country's air pollution levels. Java is home to numerous industrial facilities that emit pollutants into the air. The lack of effective emission monitoring and control systems in these facilities exacerbates the problem. The Indonesian government has been criticised for its inaction and lack of stringent policies to regulate air pollution from industrial sources.

One of the major urban anthropogenic sources of air pollution in Indonesia is transportation. The country's rapidly growing cities, particularly Jakarta, Tangerang, Bandung, and Surabaya, experience high levels of vehicle emissions due to increasing traffic congestion. The aging public transportation systems and the dominance of private vehicles contribute to this issue.

Power generation is another significant contributor to air pollution in Indonesia's urban areas. The country relies heavily on fossil fuels, particularly coal, for electricity production. The burning of coal releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, including particulate matter (PM2.5) and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2).

Additionally, open burning practices, such as the slash-and-burn method commonly used in agriculture, release large amounts of smoke and hazardous pollutants into the air. These practices are prevalent in Sumatra and Kalimantan, where agricultural activities and forest fires are widespread. The smoke from these fires can spread across the country and even affect neighbouring Southeast Asian nations.

Residential emissions also play a role in Indonesia's air pollution crisis. The burning of fossil fuels for cooking and heating, as well as the use of wood-burning stoves and open fires, contributes to the degradation of air quality, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

Overall, the combination of these urban anthropogenic sources has led to a severe air pollution crisis in Indonesia, with Jakarta and other major cities consistently ranking among the most polluted cities globally. The country's air pollution levels have severe health and economic impacts, reducing life expectancy and causing respiratory and other health issues among the population.

Poor air quality monitoring

Indonesia's air pollution crisis is not confined to its capital, Jakarta, but extends across the country, with Tangerang and Bandung frequently ranking among the most polluted cities globally. In 2019, Indonesia was ranked as the 6th most polluted country out of 98 countries worldwide. The average US Air Quality Index (AQI) figure for this year was 141, with levels of PM2.5 being 5 times over the World Health Organization's (WHO) exposure recommendation.

The poor air quality in Indonesia has severe health implications for its population. The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) estimates that air pollution in the country reduces life expectancy by an average of 2.3 years. In certain regions, such as Central Kalimantan, life expectancy is reduced by over five years due to chronic exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The economic loss due to PM2.5 and O3-related deaths and illnesses is substantial, amounting to around 2.2% of Jakarta Province's GDRP.

The Indonesian government has been criticised for its inaction and lack of intervention to address the air pollution crisis. Citizens have filed lawsuits demanding that the government adopt stricter policies, improve monitoring, and make air quality data readily available to the public. While there have been calls for stronger regulation and control of land management, the government has been slow to implement effective measures.

The installation of Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) in relevant facilities and the establishment of real-time emissions reporting systems accessible to the public are crucial steps towards improving air quality monitoring in Indonesia. These measures will enable better understanding, policy formulation, and enforcement to tackle the country's air pollution crisis.

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