Jabodetabek air pollution requires cross-regional management

Recent studies from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) indicate that air pollution in the Jabodetabek metropolitan area cannot be managed through isolated regional or sectoral actions. Modeling shows that even if Jakarta's emissions were reduced to zero, the surrounding areas of Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi would still contribute 38.51 percent to Jakarta's PM2.5 concentration.

Pollution sources vary by location: transportation is the primary driver in Jakarta and its satellite cities, industry dominates in Bogor and Tangerang, and power plants are the main contributors in Bekasi and Tangerang. In Jakarta specifically, heavy trucks account for 34.96 percent of transport-related PM2.5 emissions, followed by diesel passenger cars at 21.21 percent.

Experts emphasize the need for cross-regional integration. With a population of approximately 42 million and 1.5 million daily commuters traveling from satellite cities to Jakarta, officials argue that public transportation and emission controls must be designed as a single unified system rather than being restricted by administrative boundaries. Health experts warn that high PM2.5 levels pose severe risks, including respiratory infections, heart disease, and pneumonia, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.