Jakarta Air Quality 3rd Worst Globally: How City Tackles Pollution - Tempo.co English

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Data from air quality monitoring platform IQAir showed Jakarta ranking third worst globally for air pollution as of 6:00 a.m. WIB on Thursday morning, August 20.

The capital's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 162, placing it firmly in the "unhealthy" category. Residents are advised to wear protective masks when engaging in outdoor activities.

Kinshasa (Congo) recorded the world's worst air quality with an AQI of 208, followed by Kuching (Malaysia) in second place with an AQI of 199.

As previously reported, the Jakarta Provincial Government is implementing three core strategies to improve air quality across the capital.

The first strategy involves expanding the reach of Transjabodetabek bus services to curb private vehicle usage; this includes routes such as Blok M–Alam Sutera, Blok M–PIK 2, and Blok M–Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

The second strategy targets deploying 10,000 Transjakarta electric buses by 2030, given that the transportation sector currently accounts for 50 percent of exhaust emissions in Jakarta.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has urged the public to utilize the public transit options provided by the provincial government. The administration has even issued regulations granting free public transport access to 15 specific demographic groups.

The third strategy focuses on optimizing the use of the Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) waste processing facility in Rorotan, North Jakarta.