Collaboration with Indonesia

PROGRAMS SUPPORTING EPA’S INTERNATIONAL PRIORITIES

Building Strong Institutions and Legal Structures:

EPA and the Indonesian Ministry of Environment (MOE) are actively exchanging technical information on environmental information and environmental impact assessments. In partnership with USAID and the Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network (AECEN), EPA and MOE also convened a workshop on strengthening public participation in environmental management in Indonesia in July 2012. This workshop, which included experts from around the region, not only shared EPA’s Public Participation Guide, but also prompted several countries to reexamine their public participation policies, particularly in regards to environmental impact assessments. EPA and MOE are exploring future collaboration on environmental enforcement and judicial capacity building.

Combating Climate Change by Limiting Pollutants:

In 2010, Indonesia joined the Global Methane Initiative. Under GMI, Indonesia is an active partner in the waste and oil and gas sectors.

Improving Air Quality:

In the 1990s, EPA and Indonesia collaborated to evaluate air emissions from forest fires and to phase out lead in gasoline. Over the years, EPA has been cooperating with Indonesian partners and UNEP through work under the Global Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles. EPA is also partnering with the City of Jakarta and the Indonesian Ministry of Environment on “Breathe Easy, Jakarta,” a program to improve air quality and protect human health in the capital region. This program, which includes air quality management trainings and technical assistance, is intended to serve as a model for urban air quality management for other major cities.

Reducing Exposure to Toxic Chemicals:

In 2011 and 2012, EPA partnered with UNEP and Blacksmith Institute to address mercury emissions and children’s health impacts from artisanal and small-scale gold mining. This project demonstrated improved technologies at the local level, increased education regarding health impacts, and progress towards a national action plan to reduce mercury from ASGM in Indonesia. Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has joined EPA in developing a program to assist the Indonesian government to examine toxic pollution in urban areas.