@Green September/October 2024 | Page 7

• Foreign News 07
Re-imagining conservation
September-October . 2024 | @ green

• Foreign News 07

Pertamina expands green education

PT Pertamina ( Persero ) expanded its education programme on renewable energy technology innovations in schools across Indonesia . The initiative , known as Sekolah Energi Berdikari ( SEB ), was launched in June 2023 and reached over 4,500 students in various cities .

The SEB programme was implemented in ten schools , including
SMK Negeri 2 Dumai , SMA Negeri 14 Palembang ( Sumatra ), SMA Negeri 40 North Jakarta , SMK Merdeka Bandung , SMA Negeri 3 Cilacap , SMP Negeri 7 Cirebon , SMA Negeri 14 Semarang ( Java ), SMA Negeri 8 Denpasar ( Bali ), SMP Negeri 1 Tidore ( Maluku ), and SMA Negeri 6 Sorong ( Papua ).
Fadjar Djoko Santoso , Vice President of Corporate Communication at Pertamina , stated that the company was committed to accelerating the transition to clean energy by educating young people , who form the largest demographic in Indonesia .
“ Educating students on renewable energy technology is expected to speed up the energy transition while instilling environmental awareness . Therefore , they can actively contribute to reducing carbon emissions ,”
Fadjar remarked .
As part of the SEB programme , Pertamina visited Adiwiyata School SMA Negeri 14 Palembang on 22nd August . During the visit , Pertamina educated students and presented the Innovation Technology Module to 24 students selected as Young Energy Ambassadors .
The Innovation Technology Module , delivered by Pertamina ’ s team , was followed by a discussion on Renewable Energy Technology Innovation .
Tjahyo Nikho Indrawan , Area Manager of Communication , Relations & CSR of Pertamina Patra Niaga South Sumatra Region , explained that the session aimed to equip students with knowledge on developing renewable energy into technological innovations that could be implemented within their schools .
“ It is hoped that the students of SMA Negeri 14 Palembang can implement all the programs they have designed , and these could become best practices for their peers in daily life ,” Nikho stated .
Rasya Eka Putra , a student at SMA Negeri 14 Palembang , expressed that the programme was highly beneficial , enhancing their knowledge and developing skills that are valuable for the future .
Pertamina reiterated its support for schools and young people in environmental sustainability and education on renewable energy , encouraging the younger generation to make a significant impact on the environment for a greener future .

Clean air settlement

Re-imagining conservation

THE Conservation Law Foundation ( CLF ), Durham School Services , and its parent company , National Express , settled a lawsuit regarding Clean Air Act violations in environmental justice neighbourhoods in Holyoke and Worcester . The settlement required the school bus company to pay over US $ 1.4 million and cease unlawful excessive idling .
Massachusetts laws prohibit excessive idling due to the severe risks tailpipe pollution poses to the health of communities and the environment . For these laws to be effective , companies that violate them must be held accountable . This settlement is expected to result in cleaner air for families in Holyoke and Worcester .
The settlement mandated several actions by Durham , including
revisions to its anti-idling policy , enhanced training , and a US $ 1 million investment in transitioning to electric vehicles . Additionally , the company allocated US $ 290,000 to local organisations , Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts and Nuestras Raíces , to support electrification projects retrofit initiatives in Worcester , and fund new community gardens and green spaces in Holyoke .
These funds are anticipated to help secure vital community gardening infrastructure , enabling the community to produce food and reduce emissions in their neighbourhoods . The funds are also intended to strengthen the season extension capacity of the urban farm and lower the carbon footprint through a community food waste diversion programme .
THE 8th International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) Asia Regional Conservation Forum ( RCF ) opened in Bangkok , Thailand , drawing nearly 600 conservation leaders from across the region .
Representatives from governments , non-governmental organisations , donors , academia , and the private sector gathered for the three-day event , themed ‘ Reimagining Conservation in Asia : A Nature Positive Future .’ The Forum aimed to evaluate conservation progress , revisit priority goals , and propose strategic directions to address environmental and biodiversity challenges over the next 20 years .
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment ( MONRE ), Thailand Deputy Permanent Secretary
Thalearngsak Petchsuwan emphasised the importance of collaboration , calling the Forum a unique opportunity to reaffirm the commitment to collaborate for the benefit of nature and humanity . He urged participants to seize the moment to enhance partnerships and accelerate efforts towards a nature-positive future for Asia .
The RCF , a quadrennial statutory event , served as a precursor to the next IUCN World Conservation Congress in October 2025 in Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates . The Forum provided IUCN Constituents and stakeholders the chance to discuss Asia ’ s priority conservation agenda , which will be presented at the global Membership meeting next year .