Environment Minister: It is Time to Act for the Climate, Starting with Waste Sorting
The Minister of Environment/Head of the Environmental Management Agency (BPLH), Moh Jumhur Hidayat, has urged all elements of society to take concrete action against the environmental crisis through a simple step: sorting waste at its source. This call was made during the 2026 World Environment Day commemoration, themed ‘Time to Work for Climate’, held in Jakarta.
According to Jumhur, this year’s commemoration should serve as a momentum to transform awareness into real action amidst the increasing pressures on the Earth caused by the climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, and environmental pollution. He emphasised that protecting the environment requires more than just commitment; it must be realised through sustainable daily actions.
Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas, Rachmat Pambudhy, who also attended the event, stated that environmental issues are an inseparable part of the national development agenda. He noted that the government’s targets for achieving food, water, and energy self-sufficiency cannot be met without a well-preserved environment.
The Ministry of Environment/BPLH identifies waste sorting as one of the easiest climate actions for the public to implement. This step is crucial because waste management is not only related to cleanliness but also contributes significantly to climate change. Data from the Ministry shows that Indonesia generates approximately 51 million tonnes of waste annually, much of which ends up in landfills in an unsegregated state. Organic waste accumulating in landfills produces methane gas, which has a higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide.
Therefore, increasing the sorting, reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste at the source will decrease greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the burden on landfills, and improve environmental quality. Through the ‘Indonesia Aman, Sehat, Resik, dan Indah’ (ASRI) movement, the Ministry is encouraging the public to adopt waste sorting as a new daily culture.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening climate change control policies and environmental protection to support the ‘Indonesia Emas 2045’ vision. However, the success of these efforts depends on the active collaboration and participation of all societal elements. ‘World Environment Day 2026 serves as a reminder that the future of the environment is determined not by what we plan, but by what we do starting today,’ concluded Jumhur.