Yogya receives environmental award

Yogya receives environmental award

YOGYAKARTA: The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), a Canada-based environmental organization, recently awarded the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign Milestone Award to the Yogyakarta municipal government for its achievement in preserving the environment.

Head of the city's environmental effect research and monitoring agency Pieter Lawueasal said that the award had been given for the city's success in decreasing motor vehicle gas emissions and electricity use and for establishing an urban forest.

"We succeeded in decreasing gas emissions by five percent from 2001 to 2003 and electricity consumption by 40 percent over the same period," Pieter said.

Peter also said that Yogyakarta had been selected from 17 other cities in the world. Presentation of the award was made in the Philippines recently. -- JP