Five Mayors who were elected in the 2020 Regional Head Election signed the Mayor’s Commitment to Climate Change document in the “Climate Resilience Policy Dialogue and Mayor’s Commitment to Climate Change Signing” activity held in a hybrid manner last May 31, 2021. Through this activity, CRIC also promotes local leadership that actively realizes climate-resilient urban governance.
The Mayor’s Commitment to Climate Change was signed in Jakarta by the Mayor of Bandar Lampung Eva Dwiana S.E., M.Si, the Mayor of Samarinda Dr. H. Andi Harun, the Mayor of Ternate Dr. M. Tauhid Soleman and the Mayor of Mataram represented by Assistant 1 of the Mataram City Secretariat Lalu Martawang, SE, M.Si. The signing of the commitment was witnessed by Director of Climate Change Adaptation of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Dra. Sri Tantri Arundhati and Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi. Banjarmasin Mayor Ibnu Sina signed the document separately in Banjarmasin, July 6, and was witnessed by CRIC Project Coordinator Putra Dwitama.
In this activity, CRIC also officially handed over the Urban Assessment Report to the Indonesian Ministry of Environment Forestry and the pilot cities. Through a dialogue session hosted by APEKSI General Manager Sri Indah Wibi Nastiti, the regional heads outlined in more detail the actions that have been and will be encouraged to realize climate resilience through priority sectors.
Strengthen regulation, promote action
Urban flood management is a priority issue in Bandar Lampung City. The Bandar Lampung Urban Study Report also noted the city’s vulnerability to flooding that occurs almost every year. Mayor-elect Eva Dwiana S.E., M.Si stated her commitment to overcome this issue, one of which is through river grebeg. “We have normalized and cleaned the river to anticipate flooding. We have also made efforts to block and reduce waste to protect the rivers in Bandar Lampung,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ternate Mayor Dr. M. Tauhid Soleman prioritized clean water and waste management issues. As an archipelago city consisting of eight islands, Ternate is vulnerable to hydrometeorological and geological disasters. Climate change has caused sea level rise in Ternate and has the potential to contaminate the clean water supply for the community. “The city government has launched a plan to build 1,000 infiltration ponds, through funds in the sub-district and channeled through the village, so that groundwater reserves are maintained,” said the Mayor of Ternate regarding one of the efforts to strengthen water access for residents.
Succession at the local level is a momentum to design sustainable development patterns, in line with the national development agenda and priorities. Samarinda Mayor Dr. H. Andi Harun said that development in Samarinda needs to pay attention to the characteristics of Samarinda as a riverside city. “RPJMD needs to be prepared to ensure climate resilience by ensuring mitigation and adaptation actions in accordance with the spatial pattern. In addition, we focus on improving Green Open Space and encouraging the Climate Village Program,” he said.
In line with the Mayor of Banjarmasin, Regional Assistant 1 of Mataram City Government Lalu Martawan, SE, M.Si. also stated the importance of integrating climate resilience issues in the RPJMD. In addition, Mataram also prioritizes waste management as an issue that must be addressed immediately given the large amount of waste production in a day, while the landfill is more than 10 kilometers from the city center. “We hope to have a waste management facility that is processed into electricity,” he said.
The commitment of regional heads in addressing climate change is crucial. Director of Climate Change Adaptation at the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry Dra. Sri Tantri Arundhati said that “mayors are the spearhead to protect people from the impacts of climate change.” Through mitigation and adaptation actions, such as green open spaces, waste reduction, and public transportation, cities contribute to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The event also emphasized the importance of policy and regulatory alignment at the national level down to the local level, as well as collaboration between stakeholders. UCLG ASPAC Secretary General Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi closed the event with a call for regional heads to continue to innovate, both in terms of programs and in exploring various alternative funding for climate action.
The “Climate Resilience Policy Dialogue and Signing of Mayor’s Commitment to Climate Change” can still be watched on the YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Ao6olyri4yg