Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — The Ministry of Environment/Head of the Environmental Management Agency (KLH/BPLH) has officially established a strategic collaboration with the Indonesian Rector Forum during a gathering titled Rector Forum: National Collaboration in Environmental Protection and Management, held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta.
The forum was attended by 41 university rectors from seven regional clusters and marked a significant step toward strengthening academic-policy synergy for scientific, just, and sustainable environmental governance.
Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq emphasized that ecological sustainability must be the foundational pillar of national development.
“Today’s development must be grounded in ecological balance and human dignity. We cannot continue a system that sidelines sustainability,” stated Minister Hanif in his official release on Monday (July 29, 2025).
Minister Hanif revealed that 80–90% of KLH/BPLH policies are based on scientific studies, making academic involvement essential in building data-driven policy foundations.
As such, KLH/BPLH will revitalize Environmental Study Centers (PSLH) at universities as active partners in drafting Environmental Protection and Management Plans (RPPLH), conducting Strategic Environmental Assessments (KLHS), and overseeing environmental approval processes.
“A minister cannot operate based on opinions alone. Every decision must be backed by science. Universities are the engines that drive and reinforce the nation’s scientific foundation,” he added.
One major challenge highlighted by Minister Hanif is the lack of environmental supervision capacity—where a single environmental supervisor must oversee more than 160 activity units.
Collaboration with universities is considered vital for strengthening environmental audits, data validation, and independent, research-based oversight.
Even in law enforcement, the Minister stressed the importance of expert involvement from academia.
“Environmental law enforcement is not a trivial task. We need environmental law experts, biologists, geospatial analysts, chemists, and social scientists. Everything must be data-driven and accountable in court and to the public,” said Minister Hanif.
During the forum, a memorandum of understanding was signed covering the formation of a thematic environmental research consortium, the development of green curricula, and the application of sustainable campus indicators.
This marked a systemic collaboration between KLH/BPLH and academia to address the environmental crisis in an integrated manner.
The 2024 Environmental Quality Index (IKLH) stood at 71.79 (“good” category), but distribution remains uneven—only 127 out of 514 districts/cities have an RPPLH.
Technical support from universities is key to accelerating the preparation of these documents nationwide.
KLH/BPLH is also preparing a follow-up mangrove rehabilitation program following the conclusion of the Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency’s mandate on December 31, 2024.
Of the 3.7 million hectares of mangroves in Indonesia, 1 million hectares still require density improvement.
The program will involve universities, local communities, and international partners to ensure the sustainability of coastal ecosystems.
The forum also emphasized the importance of ecological transition in the era of Industry 5.0, where technology must align with human values and sustainability.
Campuses are expected to become hubs for nurturing ecological character in the younger generation.
“Technology must no longer be a tool of domination. It must become humanity’s partner in building a future in harmony with ecosystems,” said Minister Hanif.
The Rector Forum is designated as an annual agenda, followed by regional forums focused on eco-regions and local characteristics.
This aligns with KLH/BPLH’s mission to build a science-based and equitable environmental management system.
KLH/BPLH invites all parties—individuals, communities, industries, schools, and the media—to take part in environmental recovery solutions.
With concrete support from universities and cross-sectoral collaboration, KLH/BPLH remains optimistic that Indonesia can tackle the climate crisis in a resilient and scientific way on the path toward Indonesia Emas 2045. (*)
