Indonesia tackles air pollution as Jakarta’s air quality raises alarms

Global Business

Indonesia tackles air pollution as Jakarta’s air quality raises alarms

Recent study by the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry found that Jakarta is among the worst polluted cities in Indonesia.

The transportation sector is responsible for most of the toxic pollutants present in the city. To tackle the issue, the government is working to introduce cleaner and higher-quality fuel in 2017.

CGTN’s Silkina Ahluwalia reports.

Jakarta has been named one of the most polluted cities and is all too familiar with hazy skies and polluted air.

As more cars cram into its big roads and small alleys, the city’s air quality has taken a turn for the worse in the past couple of years.

Data shows that the transportation sector is responsible for nearly 80 percent of air pollution.

Official figures show toxic pollutants have grown rapidly in areas where congestion is at its peak.

Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas corporation previously blocked the country’s efforts to introduce high-grade fuel especially Euro-4, an international standard on emission levels for vehicles.

There’s still a long way to go before Jakarta can change its ways to becoming a cleaner and healthier city.

But before it’s too late, environmentalists are urging for immediate action from the government to transform Indonesia’s cities tainted with smog.