Bandung, 7 November 2024 – Young people in West Java, united under the Gerakan Pilah-Pilih Jawa Bara, have prepared a Policy Brief for the Governor and Vice Governor candidates running in the 2024 Regional Head Election (Pilkada). This Policy Brief contains policy recommendations to address the threats of climate change, which will be used by the elected governor.  

The drafting of these recommendations is driven by the worsening conditions of climate change and environmental degradation in West Java. Many natural disasters in West Java are linked to climate change and global warming. From January to October 2024, there were 1,389 natural disasters in West Java, including 610 extreme weather events, 400 landslides, 187 floods, 154 forest and land fires, 18 droughts, and 16 earthquakes.  

“The majority of these disasters are related to climate change,” said Klistjart Tharissa, one of the authors of the Policy Brief. According to Tharissa, commonly known as Caca, the primary cause of climate change is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, as society remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels.  “People are still excessively using fossil fuels for electricity. Fossil fuel energy continues to dominate the energy mix in West Java,” Caca explained. She added that, apart from the energy sector, land-use issues, particularly the insufficient protected areas, are also contributing to the climate crisis. The imbalance between green spaces and built-up areas has led to rising temperatures in almost every urban area in West Java in recent years.  

This situation has prompted the group to create recommendations for the Governor and Vice Governor candidates to prevent climate change-induced disasters in West Java. The goal is to ensure that the elected governor is committed to addressing the climate crisis and protecting the public from its threats.  

Ginanjar Ariyasuta, another member of the writing team also Coordinator of Climate Rangers Jakarta, noted that none of the current candidates have shown a strong commitment to environmental issues. “If the West Java leadership candidates want to win the youth vote, they must commit to safeguarding their future. They need to protect the environment and make West Java a comfortable and safe place for future generations,” Ginanjar emphasized.  

“The decisions made today will impact our future as the younger generation. The climate crisis is already upon us, and West Java’s leaders have a significant responsibility to demonstrate ambitious climate action, whether in the energy sector, land use, or waste management,” Ginanjar asserted.

The demands of West Java’s youth for the Governor and Vice Governor candidates are as follows:

1. Develop more ambitious decarbonization programs, particularly in the electricity, transportation, and waste management sectors, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollutant contributions, aligning with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting temperature rise to below 1.5°C.  
2. Create regulations and policies that support decarbonization efforts in West Java, such as revising the Regional Energy General Plan (RUED) to reduce fossil fuel usage and increase renewable energy adoption.  
3. Support energy decentralization through community-based renewable energy development. This initiative should be included in the RUED and backed by regulatory and financial support.  
4. Develop policies for environmentally friendly mass public transportation systems.  
5. Improve waste management governance in terms of institutions, budgeting, and environmental standards, while avoiding waste-to-energy solutions like waste incineration (PLTSa) and refuse-derived fuel (RDF).  
6. Revise West Java Provincial Regulation No. 9 of 2022 on the Regional Spatial Plan for West Java Province (2022-2042).  
7. Promote policies and strategies to achieve the target of 45% protected areas in the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) through expansion, restoration, protection, and conservation programs.  
8. Push for policies and strategies to achieve the target of at least 30% forest area relative to watershed size in the next five-year RPJMD.  
9. Advocate for policies to prevent and enforce transparency in environmental permits and natural resource utilization that impact climate change.  
10. Direct policies toward increasing renewable energy use and accelerating the early retirement of coal-fired power plants (PLTU) to reduce carbon emissions and boost renewable energy utilization in West Java

Through these recommendations, West Java’s youth aim to ensure that the future leaders of the province prioritize environmental sustainability and climate action, safeguarding the region for generations to come.