Opening Remarks

By

State Minister for the Environment of Republic of Indonesia

Delivered at

Workshop on Landfill Gas Utilization and the Clean Development Mechanism

Nusa Dua, Bali, 5-7 September 2005

Assalamulaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh

Om Swastiastu,

Distinguished participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all I would like to extend my warmest welcome and greetings to all participants of this workshop, especially those who came from abroad. I hope that with the hospitality of our people especially the Balinese you could enjoy the atmosphere of Bali. Secondly, on behalf of The Indonesian Government I would like to convey my highest gratitude to all of you for attending this auspicious event regarding to Landfill Gas Utilization and the Clean Development Mechanism. My highest expectation is that this event will prove to be a significant forum for exchanging experience in finding out ways in ensuring the quality of the environment.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Being the fourth largest country in terms of population in the world, Indonesia now is facing a serious problem about solid waste generated mainly from households. It is predicted that the volume of this municipal solid waste will increase 2 to 4 percent per year, meaning that it urgently requires appropriate infrastructure as well as necessary management systems for proper management of disposal and the waste. As matter of record the common practice of solid wastes management in Indonesia, is open dumping, still widely applied by the local authorities responsible for managing waste. Among sixty three Final Disposal Areas (TPA) with the total area of around 510 hectares, only Bantar Gebang applies controlled landfill. The effects of the application of the open dump is that this type solid waste management emits methane gas, creating environmental problems such as local air pollution and increasing the risk of fires and explosions at the landfill site. Landfill gas contributes to global warming as it emits methane gas, one of the green house gases. It’s global warming potential that is twenty one times larger than that of carbon dioxide, that fact leads to the importance of this gas to be mitigated in such a way, that it gives not only environmental benefit, but also economic as well as social and economical benefit.

Distinguised guests and participants,

After several years preparing the ratification of Kyoto Protocol Indonesia finally ratified the Kyoto Protocol last year. The decision for ratification was mainly triggered by threat of global warming to this country, which created political urgency to policy makers in achieving the sustainable development of the country. On top of that, for Indonesia, ratification of the Protocol also could mean an economic opportunity to gain the CDM investments.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As the consequence to this ratification Indonesia as a non Annex 1 country has attracted Annex 1 countries’ attention to become the host country for the CDM Projects. Indonesia as the host country to the CDM Projects, based on the National Strategic Study on Forestry and Energy Sectors conducted during 2001 to 2002 has promising volume of CO2 reduction that is around 23 and 24 million ton carbon dioxide equivalent per year, respectively. This huge potential should be wisely explored by utilising the most attractive option to be brought up under the CDM mechanism. One of the options is the utilization of landfill gas as a fuel source.

Distinguished participants,

Within the CDM scheme, two methods related to the landfill gas utilization have been approved by the Executive Board. In the case of Indonesia, as per today some potential CDM Projects in waste to energy sector have been identified; Namely in Malang, Surabaya, Tangerang and Bali with total volume of emission reduction approximately 0.6 million ton carbon dioxide equivalent per year. These projects are expected to contribute to the solution of problem of solid waste management in this country. Therefore I believe, this Workshop is carried out at the appropriate time. This the time that Indonesia, especially the potential projects developers, to learn more of the technology for the utilisation of landfill gas, including its opportunity to become the CDM project.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Within the national scale, preparation on the technical aspect regarding the CDM has been carried out within various level of interest. One of the requirements that is very crucial in the implementation of the CDM is the establishment of a Designated National Authority, which in Indonesia is called ‘ Komisi Nasional Mekanisme Pembangunan Bersih’ or ‘National Committee for Clean Development Mechanism abbreviated as KNMPB. This National authority was signed on July 2005 to meet the needs of the CDM Project developers for national approval. In line with the establishment of KNMPB, the Ministry of The Environment as the national focal point to the UNFCCC and at the same time the head of KNMPB is eager to see at least one real CDM Project to be inaugurated as the first assignment for the KNMPB.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In response to this national and international development in CDM, the attractive option in utilizing the landfill gas, however, should be followed by active participation of relevant stakeholders. We recognized among others central and local governments, community at large, private sector as well as scientific community. Rising that awareness for these groups has become important. It is important that government provides an indication to these sectors that any participatory activities in environmentally – based actions is an investment for future generation. Community at large should play an important role in actively support the government programme related to public interest. The scientific community will be required to contribute accurate information on all aspects of the utilisation of landfill gas as well as CDM. Business players will need information on the situation of the global as well as carbon market, the CER, transaction cost and taxes. Therefore, once again I assure you that this Workshop on Landfill Gas Development and the CDM will be beneficial for all parties concerned.

Finally, I would like to express everyone’s expectation that Indonesia will gain considerable advantage from the implementation of CDM towards achieving our sustainable development’s goals.

Last but not least, I would like to convey my gratitude to the organizer of the workshop and all of you that have actively part, in this event.

I share your optimism for a fruitful and meaningful Workshop and I wish you a pleasant and productively day and a memorable stay on this island of Bali. Thank you

Rachmat Witoelar

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