Indonesia calls for collective climate action at BRICS forum

At the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting in New Delhi, India, Indonesian Minister of Environment Moh Jumhur Hidayat called for collective responsibility in addressing pollution and climate change. He expressed concern regarding several major developed economies that are retreating from their environmental responsibilities despite remaining significant contributors to global emissions.

Jumhur emphasized that for Indonesia, a nation of over 17,000 islands, climate adaptation is a central pillar of sustainable development and national prosperity. He highlighted the country's vulnerability to rising sea levels and extreme weather, noting that 60 percent of the population resides in coastal areas. To combat these threats, Indonesia is implementing its 2026-2030 National Adaptation Plan.

The Minister also advocated for the integration of local wisdom into global environmental governance, citing traditional Indonesian systems such as Subak in Bali and Sasi Lompadi in Maluku as models for resource management. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of protecting biodiversity—both terrestrial and marine—as a foundation for climate resilience and long-term economic growth.