I am very happy with the developments in Indonesia regarding climate change. So there is a tremendous increase in awareness that we must deal with climate change and must do something to deal with climate changeJakarta (ANTARA) - Executive vice president of the European Commission for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans has lauded Indonesia's strong commitment to participating in efforts for tackling global climate change.
"I am very happy with the developments in Indonesia regarding climate change. So there is a tremendous increase in awareness that we must deal with climate change and must do something to deal with climate change," Timmermans said during a public discussion organized by the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia ( FPCI) here on Tuesday.
Indonesia has a clear ambition to become one of the climate leaders in ASEAN, he added.
"Leaders at the G20 discussed staying away from using coal for a period of time and hope to increase the potential for nature-based solutions and improve ocean health or hygiene," Timmermans said.
Related news: Finance, technology needed in climate change-handling strategy: govt
The potential for new and renewable energy in Indonesia is extraordinary, he added. Indonesia has solar energy sources, water energy sources, wind energy sources, and geothermal energy sources, he expounded.
"This is something that is very extraordinary and attracts our attention because Indonesia has become very ambitious in this regard (commitment to tackle climate change) and at the same time, Indonesia is also growing at a fast pace in terms of development," Timmermans said.
He further said that the optimism or commitment of Indonesia regarding climate change will have a positive impact on other developing countries.
Related news: Climate change ruins traditional practice of Titen in fisheries: BMKG
"Indonesia is very lucky with its new and renewable energy and I see that bilateral relations between European countries, the European Union, and Indonesia are very strong. Our relations with other ASEAN countries are also good," he remarked.
Earlier, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had emphasized Indonesia's strong commitment to being a part of the solution to address global climate change, while Timmermans at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday.
"As one of the largest owners of forests and mangrove ecosystems, Indonesia is aware of its strategic position," Widodo said, the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat reported quoting Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, who accompanied the President to the meeting with the European Commissioner.
In addition, according to Marsudi, the President also emphasized that the issue of climate change and the environment cannot be separated from Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This means that there needs to be a balance between protecting nature and creating development, she said.
Related news: Minister invites women to be forerunners in climate change mitigation
"This balance is needed, and this balance will only be achieved if we work together," Marsudi added.
During the meeting, President Widodo also conveyed the concrete steps that have been taken by Indonesia under its commitment to deal with climate change.
"Such as 29 percent and 41 percent emission reductions with international assistance in 2030 so far have gone well. Fulfillment of this commitment has been contributed by the reduction in forest fires, reductions in forest emissions and land use, deforestation at the lowest level, and mangrove rehabilitation reaching 600 thousand hectares," Marsudi informed.
Related news: Muslims should learn Prophet Muhammad's patience: Jokowi
Related news: Jokowi urges SOEs calculate infrastructure construction tasks
Translator: Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
