Indonesia to Allocate US$1 Billion Every Year to Help Fight Ocean Waste

At last week’s 2017 World Oceans Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Af fairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan announced that the government has pledged up to US$1 billion annually to help reduce plastics and other waste in its oceans.

According to a World Bank report, Indonesia comes in second behind China as the biggest dumper of waste in the ocean, where each of its more than 250 million inhabitants is responsible for an estimated 0.8 to 1 kilograms of plastic waste every year. In a proposal, Pandjaitan presented that Indonesia will achieve a 70 percent reduction in ocean waste within a span of eight years. His plan included the development of new industries that would make use of seaweed, cassava and other biodegradable materials to make alternatives for plastic. He also cited the use of other measures including a sustained public education campaign to encourage awareness, as well as imposing a nationwide tax on plastic bags.

Sitting at the heart of the Coral Triangle, Indonesia boasts the world’s highest marine biodiversity levels. Its rich coral reef ecosystems provide food security for millions, support fisheries and attract tourists.

The country’s commitment to curb ocean waste is part of the United Nation’s latest campaign, ‘Clean Seas.’ From cutting down on plastic use such as singleuse coffee cups and shopping bags to eliminating plastic packaging, the latest US campaign aims to address rising concerns about consumer plastics through various actions and programmes. Nine other countries including Uruguay have joined Indonesia in the campaign.