Sarwono laments lack of environmental concern

Sarwono laments lack of environmental concern

JAKARTA (JP): Even as developed countries' businesses begin to
apply stricter environmental protection standards, Indonesian
businessmen continue to ignore environmental protection measures,
State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said
yesterday.

Addressing the graduation ceremony of the Prasetiya Mulya
School of Management yesterday, Sarwono lashed out at local
businesses who neglected the importance of incorporating
environmental protection measures into their policies.

He pointed out how, for the past three years, businesses in
developed countries have been joining the "Zero Emission
Movement" led by the Tokyo-based Zero Emissions Research
Institute (ZERI), and have been campaigning for zero-pollution
industries.

In Indonesia, on the other hand, businessmen not only polluted
the environment, wasted energy and materials, and depressed labor
wages, they also colluded with people with perceived power to
mask their violations, Sarwono charged.

"The public's tolerance of industrial pollution is growing
thin on account of most people's increased environmental
consciousness ... Besides, consumers and related industries
abroad demand good environmental protection before they are
willing to conduct business transactions," he said.

Sarwono pointed out how in 1995, 300 local businessmen
participated in a lecture by Dr. Gunter Pauli of ZERI about how
reducing industrial pollution is actually a good business
decision. "Out of the 300 participating businesses leaders, only
two have followed up (with environmental management measures),"
he said.

Sarwono revealed that during ZERI's recent third congress in
the United States, where 200 senior managers from leading
companies in the U.S., Japan and European countries had gathered,
only one Indonesian businessman was present.

"I was reluctant to invite Indonesian businessmen to take part
in the congress, because I knew that most of them were not
interested in new developments, and only followed officials on
overseas trips as a form of recreation," Sarwono said.

"I strongly believe that ZERI's campaign should not be
ignored ... and that the `steam explosion' technology (which will
enable industries to achieve a zero level of pollution) it is
developing can work," he said.

He said ZERI has decided to hold its next congress in
Indonesia.

Sarwono also reminded local businesses that the government-
sponsored "gold" rating for environmentally responsible companies
will be given only with a "clearance" from ZERI.

Sarwono also said integrating environmental measures into
business policies not only increases companies' competitiveness
in a market increasingly dominated by the green consumerism
campaign, but also enables them to implement international
conventions on environmental protection.

The government announced in October a list of the domestic
companies that cause the most river pollution. The worst river
offenders include two tanneries, two paper and pulp producers,
one rubber factory and one sugar mill.

No company in the country has ever received the best category
of "gold", which is reserved for those with zero pollution. (swe)