Gusti Marrel: Young People Must Get Directly Involved in Environmental Issues
JAKARTA — Raden Mas Gusthilantika Marrel Suryokusumo, head of the Bebadan Pangreksa Loka of the Yogyakarta Palace, says the younger generation needs to take a greater role in protecting the environment and promoting the adoption of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. Young people’s involvement is important because environmental sustainability is directly linked to the future of local regions, communities and the world.
He made the remarks at the ESG NOW Leadership Forum & Awards 2026, themed “Inspiring Impact”, at Hotel Borobudur on Monday (19 October 2026). Marrel is the grandson of Yogyakarta Governor and Palace ruler Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X. Organised by Republika, the forum brought together stakeholders from government, business, academia and civil society to discuss the implementation of sustainability principles.
Marrel said young people’s awareness of environmental issues needed to be matched by direct involvement on the ground. Knowledge gained through formal education, he said, should be complemented by practical experience so that young people can make a tangible contribution.
“Young people today certainly need to start paying attention to the environment, because it is connected to the future — the future of our region, our environment and, on a larger scale, the future of the world,” he said on Monday.
He said the establishment of a new body in Yogyakarta to oversee environmental matters in early 2023 was one effort to increase attention to these issues.
“What will the future of the Earth look like? That is why, in Yogyakarta, we established a new body in early 2023 to oversee the environment. We want to give environmental awareness greater priority today,” he said.
Marrel said young people — whether in junior or senior secondary school, at university or newly graduated — had the potential to become key drivers of environmental conservation. They needed both knowledge and opportunities to put it into practice, he said.
“In my view, young people can play a leading role. Whether they are in junior or senior secondary school, at university or have just graduated, they can be a mainstay because they are the ones who need to act on the ground. But first, they need to learn the subject in the classroom,” he said.
“That is very important for broadening their knowledge. But practical experience in the field is just as important, because much of what is out there can only be learned on the ground,” he added.
Marrel said the problem facing young people was not simply a lack of concern for the environment. Some, he said, needed access, support and guidance to get started on practical action.
“I think young people today are more aware of values and environmental principles, but they need further encouragement to get out into the field. They already have the knowledge, but need greater access, encouragement and support to engage with environmental work. Sometimes the young people I meet simply don’t know where to start,” he said.
Marrel therefore urged stakeholders to create more opportunities for young people to take part in environmental conservation. Action did not have to begin with a large-scale programme; it could start in people’s immediate surroundings, he said.
“Sometimes we just need to open the doors so they can understand where to begin. They may worry that they have to start with something on a large scale, when they can sometimes begin with something small in their own communities,” he said.
Republika Editor-in-Chief Andi Muhyiddin said sustainability efforts needed to move beyond commitments and discussion towards concrete action with measurable impacts that people could feel.
“At a time when we are concerned about forest and land fires and the continuing environmental damage, the sustainability agenda can no longer be postponed. We need concrete steps and the courage to prevent further environmental destruction. Through the ESG NOW Leadership Forum & Awards 2026, we want to promote transparency and strengthen collaboration, so that sustainability becomes real action, not merely a narrative,” Andi said.
Alongside the leadership forum, Republika also held the ESG NOW Awards 2026, divided into Government Track and Corporate Track categories. The awards recognise local governments and businesses considered successful in integrating sustainability principles into their programmes or organisational strategies.
Through the forum and awards, Republika is seeking to promote cross-sector collaboration and expand good practices in environmental management, community empowerment and sustainable governance.