Deputy for Climate Change Control and Carbon Economic Value Governance at the Ministry of Environment, Ary Sudijanto, emphasizes that addressing climate change would best start with individual behavioral changes. 

“Climate change has reached a survival stage. And this time, it’s not caused by nature − it’s caused by humans. We are all contributors to greenhouse gas emissions,” Ary said on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 as he addressed the launch of the latest study by the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) on individual carbon footprints in Java.

He pointed out that today’s climate crisis is fundamentally different from historical events such as the extinction of dinosaurs or ancient volcanic eruptions. While those were caused by natural forces, the current crisis stems from human activities − from motor vehicle use and energy consumption to shopping habits and dietary choices.

He cited that the public must recognize their role in contributing to carbon emissions, and this awareness must be followed by concrete daily actions.

“If we know we produce, say, 10,000 kilograms of CO₂ equivalent per year, then we need to ask ourselves: how can I become carbon neutral? Should I plant trees? Change my lifestyle? These questions must be part of our mindset,” he said.

Ary praised the launch of the digital platform JejakKarbonku.id by IESR, which allows users to calculate and understand their personal carbon footprint. He hoped that the platform could inspire greater awareness and collective action.

He stressed that change doesn’t have to begin with major policy shifts. Instead, small individual actions − such as using public transportation, avoiding excessive shopping, or supporting low-emission products − can have a significant impact when done collectively. “Maybe I won’t be here much longer. But young people − they’re the ones who will face the uncertain future shaped by climate,” Ary said.

The release of this study is expected to be a starting point for a broader public movement to combat climate change inclusively − beginning with one simple step: recognizing and reducing our own carbon footprints.

Foundation for climate policy

Director of Climate Change Mitigation at the Ministry of Environment, Haruki Agustina, emphasized the critical importance of using individual carbon footprint data as a baseline for shaping climate mitigation policies.

"We, at the environment ministry, appreciate all efforts related to measurement initiatives that help raise the national carbon reduction targets across sectors. This is crucial, especially because it focuses on the individual and community levels," Haruki said.

She noted that this type of community-based research is highly valuable in supporting grassroots-level mitigation approaches. It can serve as a useful reference for local and city governments.

“Take the issue of waste, for example − the reference is population size. This study allows us to create a baseline for a city's commitment, based on its population data,” she said.

Haruki underlined the need to develop research-based guidelines for low-emission lifestyles that the public can adopt. She stressed that individuals have a significant role to play and must be encouraged through contextual and thoughtful approaches.

“If people are willing to spend their income, we should guide them to do it in a green-conscious way,” she said.

Haruki shared her dual perspective as both a government official and academic. She frequently advocates for connecting university research with policy development.

“I always try to align campus-based scientific research with policy. If there’s proven grassroots-level research, it must be interpreted into government action,” she said.

She cited tools like life cycle analysis as effective methods for estimating emission exposure, which can then be integrated into government mitigation strategies. Still, she acknowledged that targeting individuals is far more complex than regulating institutions or industries.

“Dealing with point sources or institutional sources is relatively easy. But influencing individuals − that’s a major challenge,” she emphasized.

One growing concern is the environmental impact of digital consumer habits, particularly online shopping, which often leads to high emissions.

“Online shopping has an enormous carbon footprint. Packaging can use four to five layers of plastic, not to mention the transport involved,” Haruki noted.

She stressed the urgency of building awareness among younger generations about the environmental impact of their daily habits.

“We currently have a surplus of middle-class youth. They are the ones we need to educate to understand what they’re doing and how it affects the environment,” she said.

Haruki encouraged that independent research like the IESR study should not stop at publication but be formally communicated to the ministry − whether via letters, meetings, or official presentations.

“Just deliver it formally. It could be an audience, a letter, or a presentation. The principle is: the government must listen,” she asserted.