Aceh Province Has 350 Climate Villages.

The existence of climate gampong (villages) is considered very important in encouraging the implementation of environmental management as well as adaptation and community-based climate change mitigation in Aceh.

Other innovations being developed include the development of Refused Derived Fuel (RDF), which is an integrated waste processing technology into environmentally friendly fuel as a substitute for fossil fuels.

This was conveyed by the Aceh Regional Secretary's Assistant for Economy and Development Zulkifli, after acting as Ceremony Inspector, at the Commemoration of World Environment Day, in the courtyard of the Aceh Governor's office, Wednesday (5/6/2024).

Zulkifli said that the theme for World Environment Day 2024 promoted by the Indonesian Government is Resolving the Climate Crisis with Innovation which is not only limited to increasing landscape productivity but also reducing carbon emissions and improving the water cycle, thus contributing significantly to climate change mitigation, as well as prioritizing the Principles of Justice.

To support these efforts, currently the Aceh Government has initiated several key activities, such as Climate Villages. Since 2019, the Aceh Government has designated 350 Climate Villages, with the qualifications of 1 unit in the Sustainable category, 24 units in the Main category, and the rest in the Intermediate and Primary categories.

"The existence of Climate Villages is very important in encouraging the implementation of environmental management as well as adaptation and community-based climate change mitigation in Aceh," he said.

Therefore, Zulkifli reminded all officials in the Aceh Government to use this theme as a reminder to continue to innovate and prioritize the principles of justice in every handling in the environmental sector.

"In the context of Aceh, we must use this theme as a reminder as well as an invitation, that solving the root problems of the impact of climate change must be carried out through the development of innovation which is implemented consistently by all stakeholders, while prioritizing the principles of justice and inclusiveness," said Zulkifli.

Zulkifli added that efforts to resolve these strategic issues must be carried out through ecosystem restoration and involving community entities, the use of appropriate technology, the use of new renewable energy, the application of efficient water management and utilization techniques, waste processing and the selection of plant varieties that are resistant to the impacts of climate change.

For your information, in the context of ecosystem conservation and restoration, the Aceh Government continues to improve the governance of the forest and land sector, including by increasing the effectiveness of forest protection, increasing the productivity of forest management together with the community through Social Forestry.

Apart from that, increasing the capacity to absorb emissions vegetatively through planting trees and building water longers as an early warning system for monitoring groundwater levels in the context of preventing forest and land fires with the involvement of the Mandiri Cares Gambut Village entity.

Overall, said Zulkifli, the implementation of environmental management in Aceh emphasizes the principle of justice, because the benefits must be felt by all levels of society, especially those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

This approach includes involving local communities in decision-making processes, ensuring equitable access to natural resources, and recognizing and valuing traditional knowledge in land restoration practices. Thus, land restoration efforts not only contribute to innovative climate solutions but also promote social and environmental justice.

For these achievements, the Aceh Government appreciates and expresses high appreciation for the hard work of all elements, all of society, community groups, activists and CSOs, the business world, women leaders, the younger generation, academics, journalists and also bureaucratic ranks in the regions and abroad. field.

"We will continue to develop this collaborative work to increase its effectiveness and impact on creating a healthy and sustainable Aceh environment. "The commemoration of Environment Day 2024 is an important moment for us to continue to grow, increase awareness and concern consistently in an effort to improve the environment in a sustainable manner," said Zulkifli.

Previously, when reading the message of the Minister of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, Siti Nurbaya, Zulkifli revealed that the international community agreed to commemorate World Environment Day every June 5, starting from the 1972 Stockholm Declaration.

"The Stockholm Declaration was the start of a dialogue discussing economic growth, controlling pollution and human survival throughout the world, as well as marking the establishment of June 5 as World Environment Day," said Zulkifli.

This momentum, continued Zulkifli, is an important and shared foundation from a global platform to inspire and create a collective movement in realizing healthy environmental sustainability as a guarantee of sustainable world life.

Zulkifli added that a good and healthy living environment is a common goal and part of the fulfillment of Human Rights, as mandated in the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia Article 28 H Paragraph (1) which states that 'Everyone has the right to live in prosperity and prosperity. mental health, residence, and a good and healthy living environment and the right to receive health services.

Zulkifli also reminded that in the current era, sustainable environmental management continues to face increasingly complex challenges.

"Therefore, comprehensive efforts are needed with a multi-dimensional approach and the development of innovations that are appropriate and fair on a local scale," he said.