Puan Alludes To The Importance Of Building An EBT Ecosystem To Fight Climate Crisis

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani (Dok DPR Photo)

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, emphasized the importance of building a new renewable energy ecosystem (EBT) to combat climate crises, pollution and the loss of biodiversity.

This was said by Puan while attending the peak of the 2023 Environmental, Climate, Forestry, New Renewable Energy Festival (LIKE) at the Indonesia Arena, Gelora Bung Karno area, Jakarta, together with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), Monday 18 September. This event is an event to introduce the actualization of work and corrective steps of government policies, as well as its implementation in the forestry and environmental sectors.

"Increasing greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollution, as well as ecosystem damage are serious problems that threaten the balance of the Earth. One of the main solutions to overcome this problem is to build a sustainable new renewable energy ecosystem," said Puan.

The 2023 LIKE Festival is also a series of preparations for Indonesia in the framework of the COP-28 UNFC which will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in November. COP-28 is another term from the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNBB) 2023 or the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework on Climate Change Conference) Conference. UNFC is the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Puan herself is one of the figures who often highlights the issue of climate change. On various occasions, she often voiced the importance of all parties working hard to take concrete actions to overcome climate change, including in international forums.

"In recent years, we have seen a drastic increase in the use of renewable energy, which helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels that damage the environment," explained Puan.

"Renewable energy is not only cleaner, but also more sustainable, because its resources can be updated indefinitely, in contrast to increasingly limited fossil fuels," continued the first woman to serve as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives.

In addition to reducing carbon emissions, EBT is also said to have the potential to reduce air pollution. EBT is also considered to be helping the world face a water crisis that is threatening the world community.

Therefore, Puan views the importance of developing changes in order to replace coal or oil power plants. Because this can reduce the adverse impact on human health and ecosystems.

"By replacing fossil fuels with clean energy sources, we can create a healthier environment for future generations," explained Puan.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also emphasized the importance of encouraging collective climate action in the UAE in the context of COP-28. Puan mentioned the Race to Zero and Race to Resilience campaigns as well as local alliances for climate action.

"As we prepare for COP-28 in the UAE and the world observes progress in climate action, we must seek climate mitigation, seek policies related to adaptation and financial resilience related to green economy for commitment to fight the climate crisis," he explained.

"This event is expected to mobilize efforts and increase climate action ambitions as we unite the community to pave the way for COP-28," added Puan.

In order to participate in advancing the EBT ecosystem to combat the climate crisis, the DPR has also participated in building a Solar Power Plant (PLTS) to meet the additional electricity needs of the people's representative building. The solar panel at the PLTS was installed at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, precisely in the DPR's Energy Park in front of the Nusantara Building or the Kura-kura Building.

PLTS in the DPR's Energy Park is currently being used to meet 25 percent of the electricity needs in the DPR building. Puan said the use of solar panels in the parliament complex was the DPR's commitment to save the earth from the threat of climate change.

"Currently, many renewable energy projects are being developed by paying attention to environmental conservation, including us in the DPR," he said.

Puan said the DPR must lead and set an example of real efforts in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) which is the world's agenda. One of the SDG's agenda is related to climate change.

"One of the concrete actions of the DPR to overcome climate change is through environmentally friendly or environmentally friendly policies," said Puan.

Not only that, the DPR under Puan's leadership also continues to promote a greener parliament as clear evidence for serious council members on the issue of global warming. Some of the policies that have been implemented by the DPR are by reducing the use of plastic bottles and paper in the council's work environment.

"I always invite fellow members of the council to support the Green House movement. We have to work to reduce our own carbon footprint at the institutional level," said Puan.

In various world forums, Puan also often talks about the importance of real action to overcome climate change. In 2022, Puan even chaired the 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Session where the DPR acted as the host.

Held in Bali, the 144th IPU resulted in the Declaration of Nusa Dua which included a business to mobilize world parliamentary actions in efforts to prevent and adapt climate.

Puan also led the 8th G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20) which was held at the DPR Building, Jakarta, last October 2022. The principle of renewable energy and climate change became one of the sub-themes in the meeting of the parliamentary leaders of the G20 or P20 members.

Continuous development and a green economy are one of the issues raised by the DPR as the host of the P20 event. Even as a commitment to the use of green energy, the DPR uses electric vehicles for facilities used by P20 delegates, namely the Hyundai Ionic 5 car.

On the other hand, Puan assesses that the development of a new renewable energy ecosystem is not only about changing energy resources, but also about creating jobs, encouraging innovation, and promoting sustainable economic growth.

"The renewable energy industry has become one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world, providing opportunities for profitable investment and opening up new job opportunities," explained Bung Karno's grandson.

Puan said awareness of the importance of transitioning to renewable energy and concrete actions to make it happen are a key step towards a better future.

"With collaboration between all stakehokders in advancing the new renewable energy ecosystem, it is a step forward in safeguarding the future of the nation's next generation," said Puan.

At the 2023 LIKE Festival, Puan also visited environmental, climate, forestry and renewable energy booths. According to him, new energy has a central role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

It is also hoped that the 2023 LIKE Festival will facilitate the Government's efforts to invite the younger generation to care about the surrounding environment. Puan hopes that young people will be more active in helping to overcome global warming of the impact of climate change by adapting to the EBT ecosystem.

"This is not only about protecting our earth, but also teaches the next generation to prioritize a healthy and sustainable environment," he said.

Also present at the 2023 LIKE Festival were a number of high-ranking figures and high-ranking state officials. Such as Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud Md, Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, to Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono.