G20: Jokowi Talks About Sustainable Development, Reforestation, and Carbon Pricing

Handling climate change and the environment can only be done by working together in real actions, not blaming each other. This statement was made by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) when speaking at the G20 Summit session II with the topic of climate change, energy and the environment in La Nuvola, Rome, Italy, Sunday (31/10/2021). 

"Indonesia wants the G20 to set an example, Indonesia wants the G20 to lead the world, in working together to tackle climate change and manage the environment sustainably with concrete actions," said President Jokowi, quoted from the official website of  Cabinet Secretariat.

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President Joko Widodo arrived at Glasgow Prestwick International Airport, Glasgow, Scotland, Sunday (31/10/2021) evening local time. (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Laily Rachev)

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The President further said that the G20 must be the catalyst for the green recovery and ensure that no one is left behind.

"Climate change management must be placed within the broad framework of sustainable development," said the President. In fact, the President said, the handling of climate change must move forward in line with the handling of various other global challenges such as poverty alleviation and the achievement of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) targets.

“I understand, as one of the owners of the largest tropical forests in the world, Indonesia has a strategic meaning in dealing with climate change. We use this strategic position to contribute. Deforestation in Indonesia can be reduced to its lowest point in the last 20 years. Indonesia has rehabilitated 3 million hectares of critical land in 2010-2019," said President Jokowi.

The claim echoed a report from Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry in March which claimed that Indonesia's deforestation has dropped and at its lowest in history. However, according to BBC Indonesia, oil palm plantation moratorium which has contributed in preventing the opening of new plantation on natural forest had ended last September. The fate of the moratorium, whether to extends it or not, is still unclear.

On the occasion, the President said that Indonesia had targeted Net Sink Carbon for the land and forest sector by 2030 and “Net Zero” in 2060 or sooner. 

The Net Zero area has begun to be developed, including the construction of the Green Industrial Park in North Kalimantan covering an area of ​​13,200 hectares, which uses renewable energy and produces green products.

 “Good governance at the global level for the implementation of carbon pricing is urgently needed to be in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and provide incentives for private participation by taking into account the capabilities and conditions of each country. Currently, Indonesia is in the final stages of finalizing regulations regarding carbon pricing to support the fulfillment of the NDC's target commitments," said President Jokowi.

On the Sidelines of The G20 Summit

Indonesian President Joko Widodo held a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the G20 Rome Summit in La Nuvola, Italy, Sunday (31/10/2021). At the beginning of the meeting, the President said he was happy to see the number of COVID-19 cases in the two countries which continued decrease significantly. According to him, this development cannot be separated from the cooperation of the two countries in handling COVID-19.

In this regard, the Indian Prime Minister expressed his full support for Indonesia's chairmanship in 2022 G20 and expressed readiness to contribute to the success of Indonesia's chairmanship. India will be the next Chair of the G20 in 2023.

The two world leaders then discussed several strategic issues such as joint production of medicinal raw materials, vaccine, travel lane, and preferential trade agreement.

Jokowi also discussed several world political issues, including developments in Afghanistan, during a bilateral meeting with the President of the Council of Europe, Charles Michel. 

The two leaders then talk about Afghanistan, climate, mangrove, pandemic treaty, and the omprehensive economic partnership agreement between Indonesia and the European Union or IEU-CEPA.

After attending the G20 Summit series in Rome, Italy, on October 30-31 2021, President Jokowi immediately fly to Glasgow to attend the COP26 World Leaders Summit which will take place on 1-2 November 2021. The summit chaired by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be attended by 121 heads of state and heads of government to discuss the pressing issue of the climate change.