Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno announced that Indonesia has initiated a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of the Climate Promise Project to promulgate a blueprint or strategy for reducing carbon emissions in the tourism sector.
Minister Sandiaga emphasized the need for all stakeholders to collaborate in creating action plans and a comprehensive strategy to promote environmentally friendly tourism. He underscored the importance of ensuring that the future of tourism in the country is characterized by a positive impact on the climate.
He made these remarks during a press conference held to present the “Road Map for the Indonesian Tourism Sector Towards Decarbonization” in Badung, Bali.
Key areas of the roadmap
Minister Sandiaga explained that the decarbonization roadmap for tourism will encompass three key areas: tourism attractions, such as destinations; accommodations or tourism facilities; and tour and travel services.
The initial focus of this initiative will center on the energy consumption and waste generated by tourism activities.
Sandiaga underlined that future efforts would be directed at reducing energy consumption and minimizing waste produced by the tourism industry.
Additionally, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy plans to track the roadmap’s progress by calculating emission reduction targets for the tourism sector and establishing a reporting system that aligns with the goal of achieving zero emissions by 2060 or earlier.
Furthermore, the Ministry is collaborating with the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources under the Climate Promise Project.
Together, they will conduct waste processing surveys at several hotels and take subsequent actions to decrease carbon emissions. This approach will be expanded to five other high-priority tourism destinations in Indonesia.
The unveiling of the decarbonization roadmap for the tourism sector was part of the “Indonesia Policy Showcase” during the “AIS: Blue Economy High-Level Dialogue: Forging a New Era of Sustainable Growth” on October 9. The official signing of this initiative occurred at the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the AIS (Archipelagic and Island States) Forum on the following day.
