Climate Change Impacts Growing Clearer: Bappenas Warns of Rp2,000 Trillion Global Loss Potential by 2029

Director of Environment at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, Nizhar Marizi, stressed that transitioning to a green economy is no longer optional but a strategic necessity to sustain economic growth amid climate change threats. ‘The transition to a green economy is no longer a choice but a strategic necessity to ensure economic growth continues alongside environmental protection and improved societal welfare,’ said Nizhar at the Green Economy Goes to Campus event: Youth Role in Supporting the Green Economic Transformation towards Golden Indonesia 2045 in Jakarta on Saturday. According to Nizhar, climate change impacts are becoming increasingly evident through rising global temperatures, sea level rise, extreme weather, and projected global economic losses exceeding Rp2,000 trillion by 2029. Therefore, Bappenas, in collaboration with Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), GIZ Indonesia, and the Emil Salim Institute (ESI), is strengthening policy literacy and expanding youth participation to accelerate the national green economic transition. He explained that the green economic transformation has become a priority agenda in the National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN) 2025-2045 and the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025-2029. ‘The green economic transformation is one of the key drivers of national development,’ he added. This approach, Nizhar continued, does not merely pursue economic growth but also ensures environmental sustainability and social equity as the foundation for Indonesia’s long-term development amid the triple planetary crisis threat. He noted that young people play a significant role in driving green economy implementation through technological innovation, green entrepreneurship, policy advocacy, and strengthening community-based movements. Meanwhile, Emil Salim, Chairman of the Emil Salim Institute’s Board of Trustees, stressed the importance of building a green economy by understanding ecosystems as a living, interconnected whole. ‘Nature is not merely a development object but a living subject. Therefore, development must recognise ecosystems as living and interdependent,’ he said.