As floods hit Borneo, Indonesia urged to boost climate action under Paris accord

(Reuters, 18 Jan 2021) Jakarta has said it will not raise its targets to cut planet-heating emissions - which researchers judge insufficient - despite being hit by floods and rising seas.

Deadly floods across parts of Indonesia are a stark reminder of the climate change risks facing the Southeast Asian nation, environmentalists said on Monday, urging the government to be more ambitious in its efforts to cut planet-heating emissions.

South Kalimantan on Borneo island declared a state of emergency last week, after heavy rainfall and flooding since the start of the year displaced tens of thousands of people.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo was due to visit the worst-hit areas on Monday.

Yuyun Harmono, climate justice campaign manager at the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI), said the floods are "an indication that the government should have more ambition in their climate policies".

The archipelago is already suffering the impacts of rising global temperatures, with its cities and coastal areas hit by regular flooding and rising sea levels.

"Indonesia is one of the countries that is very vulnerable to the climate crisis," said Adila Isfandiari, climate and energy researcher at Greenpeace Indonesia.

External link

Reuters, 18 Jan 2021: As floods hit Borneo, Indonesia urged to boost climate action under Paris accord