The Jakarta Environmental Office and the London-based philanthropic organization Clean Air Fund are exploring collaboration through the Breathe Jakarta Program to improve air quality in the city.
In a promising development for Jakarta’s environmental efforts, the city’s Environmental Agency is in talks with the Clean Air Fund, a London-based philanthropic organization, to support air quality improvement initiatives through the Breathe Jakarta program.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Asep Kuswanto, Head of Jakarta’s Environmental Agency, expressed optimism about the potential collaboration. “With their support, we hope to enhance the effectiveness of our emission monitoring programs and public awareness campaigns,” Kuswanto stated in a written release on Wednesday, July 31.
The Breath Jakarta Program
The discussions were initiated during a visit by Sean Maguire, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at Clean Air Fund. Representatives from C40 Cities and Vital Strategies, organizations already contributing to the Breathe Jakarta program, also attended the meeting.
Maguire highlighted the Clean Air Fund’s success in other cities, noting, “In one location, we successfully encouraged the government to transition iconic Yellow Taxis to environmentally friendly vehicles. We believe a similar approach could be applied in Jakarta to improve air quality.”
The collaboration extends beyond the Breathe Jakarta program, exploring various initiatives including community-based air quality monitoring approaches. Clean Air Fund has offered support through funding, technical expertise, and access to its global network to bolster program implementation in Jakarta.
In a significant move, Clean Air Fund is considering opening a representative office in Indonesia to strengthen this partnership. Maguire emphasized the importance of local presence to ensure smooth program implementation and adaptation of best solutions to Jakarta’s specific needs.
“Beyond technical programs, educational initiatives are also a focus of this collaboration. The aim is to provide better understanding to the public about the impacts of air pollution on health and the environment,” Maguire added.
This potential partnership marks a new chapter in Jakarta’s fight against air pollution, bringing international expertise and resources to bear on one of the city’s most pressing environmental challenges.
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