The CRIC Thematic Panel of Experts, themed “Towards Inclusive and Resilient Cities: Ecosystem and Waste Management for a Sustainable Future,” convened in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia from October 28 to 31, 2024.
This second panel continued to serve as a platform for dialogue and partnership-building to empower CRIC pilot cities and other Asia-Pacific cities to implement Climate Action Plans (CAPs) effectively. With 80 participants from 15 cities/regencies, discussions explored nature-based solutions, waste management, and bioregional governance, fostering opportunities for regional and triangular cooperation. Over the following three days, participants were trained on waste management tools developed by CRIC partner ACR+ and Bioregional Governance by ECOLISE, gaining insights into Indonesia’s waste management landscape, plastic pollution reduction efforts, and how systems thinking can be applied to climate policy development.
The panel was opened by Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, who highlighted the importance of waste management in mitigating global temperature rise and underscored the need for collective action. In her words, “The solutions and technology are there. The only missing piece is our collective commitment. Public involvement also remains a persistent challenge. So, we must take tangible steps, starting today, no matter how minor, to make a difference.” Dr. Bernadia also expressed UCLG ASPAC’s continued support for local governments in combating climate change, noting that many CRIC pilot cities are nearing completion of their CAPs.
Mr. Thibaut Portevin, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Indonesia, emphasised the EU’s partnership with the CRIC project in promoting climate-resilient and inclusive cities. He highlighted the crucial role of local governments in addressing climate change challenges and the need for circular economy initiatives. Noting that the circular economy goes beyond waste management and recycling, he explained that it focuses on generating higher value from resources. “CRIC, the EU, and Indonesia are working together to help cities create a resilient and inclusive future,” he concluded, underscoring their shared commitment to sustainable urban development.
The opening ceremony concluded with remarks from Mr. Priyanto Rahmatullah, Director of Environment at Bappenas, who highlighted the need for integrated waste management, thus contributing to the country’s long-term development strategy. He stressed the importance of collaboration across all sectors to achieve sustainable urban living and reach the 2060 net-zero emissions target.
Following the opening ceremony, the panel delved into insightful thematic sessions covering key themes such as nature-based solutions and bioregional governance, including learning sessions from pilot cities on their CAP progress, which are tailored to each city’s unique challenges and opportunities, as well as from guest cities which allowed participants to gain valuable insights into effective waste, water, and sanitation management practises
For Session 1, Mr. Hizbullah Arief, CRIC Project Manager, moderated an expert session on bioregional governance models, with speakers Sara Silva, Erika Zarate, Oscar Gussinyer, and Sarah Queblatin from ECOLISE. The session highlighted case studies from Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, emphasising strategies for managing environmental and social challenges through a regenerative leadership.
Session 2 was moderated by M. Rizki Satria, Field Officer for Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara region, and featured presentations from CRIC Climate Working Group representatives form pilot cities such as Kupang (Ms. Nofdi L. Pono), Gorontalo (Ms. Meidy Novieta Silangen), and Pekanbaru (Mr. Ingot Ahmad Hutasuhut), discussing local challenges in waste and water management.
In Kupang, innovative solutions for water scarcity included revitalised community wells that use rainwater, alongside a comprehensive CAP that includes various sanitation initiatives aimed at building resilience and sustainability. Pekanbaru showcased plastic bans, waste banks, maggot conversion, while also ensuring continuity in climate action efforts through robust planning, even during leadership changes.
Meanwhile, in Gorontalo, climate adaptation studies revealed significant vulnerabilities to floods and landslides in certain urban villages, which have informed the city’s CAP. Overall, Gorontalo city emphasises waste management, slum revitalisation and sustainable policy development, ensuring that the city is better equipped to address its climate-related challenges. These presentations demonstrated a collaborative approach to climate resilience, with each city tailoring its strategies to meet local needs.
Session 3, moderated by Mr. Rendy Primrizqi, introduced ECOLISE-developed tools are to tackle water and sanitation issues in Kupang and Gorontalo, presented by Sara Silva (ECOLISE), Arif Wibowo and Ikrom Mustofa (ICLEI Indonesia), and Sabrina Farah (ReservoAir). Speakers highlighted strategies for managing karst landscapes, improving catchment areas, prioritising Open Defecation Free (ODF) practises, and developing nature-based solutions like constructed wetlands. Overall, the tools aim to enhance urban resilience by addressing systemic challenges.
Session 4 was led by CRIC partner, Dr. Pascaline Gaborit as Founder of Pilot4Dev and moderated by Ms. Dian Noviyanti, Climate Officer UCLG ASPAC, which emphasised nature-based solutions to foster disaster risk and climate resilience in Banjarmasin and Samarinda. Customised CRIC tools such as Plan Your Safety integrate local needs to mitigate floods, soil damage, and housing issues, therefore, this session also underscored the economic potential of new sectors driven by evolving needs and data from climate actions.
In session 5, CRIC pilot cities gained valuable insights from Indonesian cities of Padang, Denpasar, Banyumas, and Banyuwangi on innovative waste management and Integrated Resource Recovery Centre (IRRC) strategies. Ms. Indah Wibi Nastiti, General Manager of APEKSI moderated this fruitful session, where comprehensive approaches are implemented by Banyuwangi, combining regulations, infrastructure, and initiatives like the Clean River Initiative and 3R facilities led by the private sectors. Meanwhile, Banyumas have switched traditional landfills in the city to community-driven waste processing and applications such as Jeknyong, and Denpasar elevates its regulation through Regulation No. 8 of 2023 on waste sorting and incentivises participation via the SIDARLING app. For Padang, source-based waste collection is a priority, and processing facilities are being expanded through international collaboration. As a result, these examples highlight the role of partnerships, regulations, and community engagement in sustainable waste solutions.
The tree-planting activity at Wayan Bulit Field in Serangan Village marked the conclusion of a successful first day. This initiative, part of the UCLG ASPAC Greening Initiative was carried out in partnership with Denpasar city and APEKSI, both serving as a vital step towards mitigating carbon footprints and underscoring the importance of green spaces and community involvement that enhances environmental sustainability in the region.
Over Days 2 to 4, participants took part in a series of interactive and reflective sessions aimed at deepening their understanding of bioregional governance and its role in addressing climate challenges. This also included Ravi Ranjan Guru, Deputy Director General of AIILSG, a CRIC partner who showcased AIILSG’s contributions to improving urban waste management and bioregional governance. This included waste segregation models and composting and recycling initiatives, to help cities adopt more sustainable waste management practice. Overall, the focus from the next three days, evolved from individual experiences to a shared responsibility toward nature, with exercises like mirroring and reflecting helping participants uncover personal insights and strengthen their connection to the environment.
A key highlight was the visit to Subak Pedahanan in Bali, where participants observed traditional water management practices that emphasize community governance and sustainability, underscoring the importance of preserving local ecosystems. Day 3 continued with an exploration of place, power, and people in climate resilience efforts, followed by a training in systems thinking that enabled participants to identify root causes and leverage points for systemic change. The final day centred on regenerative futures, where participants applied systems thinking tools, such as the iceberg model, to create action plans for pilot cities. These plans focused on practical strategies for water management, waste reduction, and integrating sustainable urban planning practices, with the goal of fostering climate resilience in local communities.