Analysis - Jakarta residents win clean air battle against government

Indonesian citizens battle it out with their govt. on the right to clean air

 Analysis - Jakarta residents win clean air battle against government

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• The story: A court in Jakarta ruled that the Indonesian government had failed to uphold citizens' right to clean air, a judgment that'll now force authorities to take action on the city's notorious smog. The decision ended a two-year legal challenge brought by 32 Jakarta citizens against Indonesian President Joko Widodo, and others.
• What the Court said: It ruled that the defendants were guilty of "committing "unlawful acts" and failing to combat air pollution in the national capital. They violated the country's environmental protection laws, and called on top officials to establish a national ambient air quality standard, among other things. Jakarta, home to more than 10.5 million people, consistently ranks among the world's worst cities for air pollution.
• Citizens' problems: The citizens claimed the government had been negligent in upholding its obligations in managing Jakarta's air pollution, and had failed to fulfill residents' right to clean air. Various problems like asthma, skin problems and upper respiratory tract infection are common. Indonesia is Southeast Asia's most polluted country, and Jakarta is the world's 10th most-polluted capital (2020 World Air Quality Report by IQAir).
• Measuring air pollution: Air pollution is often measured by the concentration of PM2.5 -- microscopic particles that contain pollutants such as sulfate, nitrates and black carbon. They are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and can cause severe health problems including lung cancer, heart disease, strokes and early death.

1. The World Health Organization (WHO) sets the standard for PM2.5 in safe ambient air quality at 10 micrograms per cubic meter. In Indonesia, the national safe standard set by the government is 15 micrograms per cubic meter.
2. In Jakarta, readings regularly far exceed both levels -- with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 39.6 micrograms per cubic meter.
3. Rapid urbanization and high levels of traffic congestion are the main contributors to Jakarta's poor air quality, in addition to Coal-fired power plants on the city's outskirts.
4. Many complain it is almost impossible to avoid being affected by bad air when traveling on Jakarta's roads, and even a mask couldn't really protect you.

• Efforts don't go far enough: When the lawsuit was filed in July 2019, the government denied the city's air quality had deteriorated, and urged the media not to "dramatize" the situation.

1. After the lawsuit was filed Jakarta's regional government passed numerous regulations, including installing solar panels in government buildings, testing vehicle emissions, improving public transport infrastructure, developing bicycle lanes, and encouraging people to use public transport.
2. But the plaintiffs in the case said those efforts don't go far enough. Jakarta's air pollution also comes from outside the city's borders -- from industrial facilities and coal plants in neighboring provinces and satellite cities. That's why they also sued the governors of the neighboring provinces of Banten and West Java, and Widodo.

• The hope: Before the court's ruling, citizens said they hoped the court victory would more than just symbolic, and that the ruling would local and national governments to prioritize action on air pollution. Citizens said they were advocating for the ecological child rights for grandchildren and all the children who will have to continue coping with this poor air quality, and adults were responsible for their quality of life.
• Summary: Environmental legislation is now gathering pace worldwide, with citizens increasingly not in a mood to listen to excuses.
• EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) Explain how effective will court rulings be, when it comes to forcing governments to act on climate issues. (2) What are the various ways citizens can force national governments to change attitude and battle vested interests that pollute the environment?

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#Indonesia #Jakarta #Widodo #pollution

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