October 28-31, 2024 | UCLG ASPAC, under the framework of Climate Resilient and Inclusive Cities (CRIC) programme, connected city leaders and representatives in an insightful Thematic Panel of Experts taking theme “Towards Inclusive and Resilient Cities: Ecosystem and Waste Management for a Sustainable Future,” in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, from October 28 to 31, 2024. This second panel served as a platform for partnership-building, knowledge exchange, and insightful dialogues among CRIC pilot cities and other Asia-Pacific cities in implementing their Climate Action Plans (CAPs) effectively.
Before the panel’s official start, CRIC pilot cities, comprising its Climate Working Groups (Pokja) took part in an Introductory Online Workshop or day 0 training on Bioregionalism and Bioregional Governance, led by ECOLISE and ACR+, on October 23, 2024. It covered core dimensions of bioregional governance, emphasising the importance of aligning local governance with the rights of nature. This approach fosters building with and around nature, thus promoting equitable, regenerative practices for cities, their surrounding ecosystems, and communities.
A total of 80 participants coming from 15 cities/regencies explored nature-based solutions, waste management, and bioregional governance, as well as fostered opportunities for regional and triangular cooperation. Participants were also trained on waste management tools developed by CRIC partner ACR+ and Bioregional Governance by ECOLISE, gaining insights into Indonesia’s waste management landscape, plastic pollution reduction efforts, and how systems thinking can be applied to climate policy development.
The panel was opened by Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC, who highlighted the importance of waste management in mitigating global temperature rise and underscored the need for collective
action, “The solutions and technology are there. The only missing piece is our collective commitment. Public involvement also remains a persistent challenge. So, we must take tangible steps, starting today, no matter how minor, to make a difference,” she said.
Mr. Thibaut Portevin, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Indonesia, emphasised the EU’s partnership with the CRIC project in promoting climate-resilient and inclusive cities. He highlighted the crucial role of local governments in addressing climate change challenges and the need for circular economy initiatives. “CRIC, the EU, and Indonesia are working together to help cities create a resilient and inclusive future,” he concluded.
Mr. Priyanto Rahmatullah, Director of Environment at Bappenas (the Ministry of National Development Planning of Indonesia) highlighted the need for integrated waste management, thus contributing to the country’s long-term development strategy. He stressed the importance of collaboration across all sectors to achieve sustainable urban living and reach the 2060 net-zero emissions target.
Thematic Sessions
Following the opening ceremony, the panel delved into insightful thematic sessions covering key themes such as nature-based solutions and bioregional governance, including learning sessions from pilot cities on their CAP progress, which are tailored to each city’s unique challenges and opportunities, as well as from guest cities which allowed participants to gain valuable insights into effective waste, water, and sanitation management practises
For Session 1, it explored an expert session on bioregional governance models highlighting case studies from Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, emphasising strategies for managing environmental and social challenges through a regenerative leadership.
Session 2 featured presentations from CRIC Climate Working Group representatives form pilot cities such as Kupang, Gorontalo, and Pekanbaru , discussing local challenges in waste and water management.
Session 3 introduced ECOLISE-developed tools to tackle water and sanitation issues in Kupang and Gorontalo, presented by CRIC’s partners, ECOLISE, ICLEI Indonesia, and ReservoAir. Speakers highlighted strategies for managing karst landscapes, improving catchment areas, prioritising Open Defecation Free (ODF) practises, and developing nature-based solutions such as constructed wetlands. Overall, the tools aim to enhance urban resilience by addressing systemic challenges.
Session 4 emphasised nature-based solutions to foster disaster risk and climate resilience in Banjarmasin and Samarinda. Customised CRIC tools such as Plan Your Safety integrate local needs to mitigate floods, soil damage, and housing issues, thus this session also underscored the economic potential of new sectors driven by evolving needs and data from climate actions.
In session 5, CRIC pilot cities gained valuable insights from Indonesian cities of Padang, Denpasar, Banyumas, and Banyuwangi on innovative waste management and Integrated Resource Recovery
Centre (IRRC) strategies. The Session captured comprehensive approaches implemented by Banyuwangi, combining regulations, infrastructure, and initiatives like the Clean River Initiative and 3R facilities led by the private sectors. Meanwhile, Banyumas has switched traditional landfills in the city to community-driven waste processing and applications such as Jeknyong, and Denpasar elevates its regulation through Regulation No. 8 of 2023 on waste sorting, and incentivises participation via the SIDARLING app. For Padang, source-based waste collection is a priority, and processing facilities are being expanded through international collaboration.
Tree Planting
The tree-planting activity at Wayan Bulit Field in Serangan Village marked the conclusion of a successful first day. This initiative, part of the UCLG ASPAC Greening Initiative was carried out in partnership with Denpasar city and APEKSI, both serving as a vital step towards mitigating carbon footprints and underscoring the importance of green spaces and community involvement that enhance environmental sustainability in the region.
Over the course of Day 2 to 4, participants took part in a series of interactive and reflective sessions to deepen their understanding of bioregional governance and its role in addressing climate challenges. The discussion included urban waste management and bioregional governance, waste segregation models and composting and recycling initiatives, to help cities adopt more sustainable waste management practice.
A key highlight was the visit to Subak Pedahanan in Bali, where participants observed traditional water management practices that emphasise community governance and sustainability, underscoring the importance of preserving local ecosystems. Day 3 continued with an exploration of place, power, and people in climate resilience efforts, followed by a training in systems thinking that enabled participants to identify root causes and leverage points for systemic change. The final day centred on regenerative futures, where participants applied systems thinking tools, such as the iceberg model, to create action plans for pilot cities. These action plans focused on practical strategies for water management, waste reduction, and integrating sustainable urban planning practices, with the goal of fostering climate resilience in local communities.
