LH Agency Holds Air Quality Controlling Strategy Discussion

Jakarta Environment Agency (LH) stated the reduction of air quality in 2023 is higher compared to previous years.

reduction of air quality in 2023 is higher compared to previous years

The data is taken from 12 Air Quality Monitoring Stations spread accross Jakarta.

Jakarta Environment Agency Head, Asep Kuswanto, said this can happen because of several factors. One of them is low rain intensity in that period.

Analyst Suggests Community to Send Advise for Bike Lane Utilization

"Compared to 2022, PM 2.5 concentration in 2023 was higher especially during dry season, El Nino impact that cause low rain intensity in longer period up to October, and also December," he said during the discussion of 2023 Air Quality Controlling and Strategy of Air Qualitu Handling through Low Emission Zone in Jakarta, Wednesday (1/17).

Moreover, Deputy Program Director Climate Change, Energy, Cities and Ocean WRI Indonesia, Almo Pradana, appreciated the cooperation with the agency to advance the air quality accessibility that can be used as referral of science-based policy.

"Our commitment is supporting the agency to remain having qualified data and can be accessed by public, as well as turned into policy role model in Indonesia," he said.

WRI Indonesia also supports intervention on transportation sector by developing low emission zone as one of main strategies in handling air quality.

"It is inline with Jakarta Provincial Government's policy as stated in Governor Decree No 576/2023 about Air Pollution Handling Strategy to reduce pollution from moving object," he added.

As for the information, the discussion was held by Jakarta Environment Agency together with Air Catalyst consists of WRI Indonesia and Vital Strategies.

Catalyst itself is an initiative supported by USAID, through a consortium at the international level to accelerate air quality improvements in world cities and has three main focuses in overcoming the negative impacts of air pollution.

The first focus is identifying pollution sources with the aim of building mutual understanding among the community regarding pollution sources and their various impacts in the city.

Then, collaboration to seek strategies for the best solutions to reduce emissions in the most polluting sectors. Furthermore, Catalyst is committed to building a strategic coalition involving various parties, to encourage action to reduce emissions for healthier air.

Catalyst also contributed to increasing the number of reference grade air quality measurement tools in Jakarta in 2023 as part of joint efforts overcoming the negative impacts of air pollution.

The three additional measurement tools were also added at East Jakarta Mayor Office, West Jakarta Mayor Office and Marunda Flat. There was also four additional sensor for black carbon pollutant on the existing stations to measure new pollutant.