Emissions Measurement to Improve Sanitation in Indonesia

Indonesia continues to strive to ensure that all people have 100% access to proper and safe sanitation in line with its commitment to sustainable development and efforts to realise the Golden Indonesia Vision 2045.

Good sanitation not only protects public health but also increases productivity and opens up economic opportunities through innovation
and sustainable resource management.

However, poor sanitation management can produce greenhouse gases that accelerate climate change.   The emission measurement program to improve sanitation in Indonesia is a new step in Indonesia to measure the emission footprint of the sanitation sector.  Data collected directly from the field provides the scientific basis for recommendations on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and opens up opportunities for climate financing to improve sanitation services for the community.   The emissions program was born from a collaboration
between the Directorate of Sanitation of the Ministry ofPublic Works and the Australian Government
through the Indonesia Australia Partnership for Infrastructure or Giat.

This initiative also received support from the Emissions Advisory Group, which includes representatives from Bappenas, the Ministry of Public Works, and the Ministry of Environment.   The emissions team consists of experts in sanitation and greenhouse gas emissions from
leading universities in Indonesia, Australia, and other international educational institutions who prioritise the capacity development of
female researchers and junior researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).   

The emissions program consists of three components.  Component one includes data collection and field measurements in five cities or districts: Jakarta, Bandung, Balikpapan, Manggarai, and West Manggarai. Here,the team monitors emissions from local domestic wastewater management systems or SEPALDs and centralised domestic wastewater management systems or SEPAL DTs.

Next, component two combines all the measurement data from component one to calculate estimated emissions from the sanitation sector, from households to city-scale domestic wastewater treatment. Component three, focuses on policy by involving ministries, institutions,
and technical partners through participatory meetings and workshops. This process resulted in technical guidelines and policy recommendations to reduce emissions while improving inclusive sanitation services.   

The emissions program strengthens Indonesia's low-emission sanitation system with accurate data as the basis for policies and investments to create a green environment and a healthy and productive society.