Minister Jumhur Urges Major Nations to Take Responsibility for Environmental Restoration
Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat has expressed concern that some advanced countries with major economic power are choosing to withdraw from the collective responsibility of addressing pollution and climate change, even as their economic weight continues to contribute a large share of global emissions. Jumhur made the remarks at a meeting of BRICS member countries’ environment ministers in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday (18/8). He also underlined the importance of protecting biodiversity, both on land and at sea, as a foundation for healthy ecosystems, climate resilience, and long-term sustainable growth.
Indonesia is home to one of the richest biodiversities in the world, with more than 300,000 known species, including 9.7 percent of the world’s flowering plants, 14 percent of mammals, 18.6 percent of birds, and marine ecosystems located at the heart of the Coral Triangle. The country is also home to 23 percent of mangrove forests, 16 percent of global marine fish species, 10 percent of the world’s coral species, and some of the highest concentrations of reptiles and marine mammals. This extraordinary biodiversity supports ecosystem services that are essential for climate mitigation, adaptation, and the resilience of millions of livelihoods.
As the world’s largest archipelagic nation, spanning more than 17,000 islands with over 60 percent of its population living in coastal areas, Indonesia is on the front line of climate change. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and climate-related disasters have affected communities across the Indonesian archipelago. These threats could undermine development progress, disrupt livelihoods, and push vulnerable communities back into poverty.
“Therefore, for Indonesia, climate adaptation is not a peripheral agenda. It is a main pillar of sustainable development and a safeguard for our national prosperity. We have enacted the National Adaptation Plan 2026-2030 as a roadmap towards a climate-resilient Indonesia and as support for the Golden Indonesia Vision 2045,” Jumhur said.
Jumhur further stated that sustainable solutions must not only come from advanced science but also from the wealth of traditional knowledge. Communities are the first to feel the impacts of climate change and possess invaluable insights into local weather patterns and natural resource management.
Jumhur’s statement aligns with BRICS, where in the global landscape, BRICS is expanding more representative and effective global environmental governance and providing opportunities for local wisdom to participate in mitigating and addressing increasingly complex environmental challenges.
On the occasion, Jumhur introduced three successful traditional models from Indonesia: the Subak irrigation system in Bali, which integrates water management, community cooperation, and spiritual practice; Sasi Lompa in Maluku, a traditional system for sustainable fisheries management; and Awig-Awig, a community-driven customary law system in Bali.
“These practices demonstrate that living in harmony with nature is not only a cultural heritage but also a powerful tool for climate adaptation and resilience, particularly by strengthening community-based approaches to managing water, ecosystems, and natural resources in the face of climate impacts,” Jumhur said.
According to Jumhur, the way we manage natural resources, shape landscapes, prevent environmental degradation, and build resilience will ultimately shape the sustainability of development.