Indonesia’s Path Towards Sustainable Development Goals

National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) is raising awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and mobilizing support to achieve the 2030 vision. These efforts aim to facilitate the realization of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets by 2030.

The realization includes plans to break free from the middle-income trap, alleviate poverty, and become a more sustainable developed country by 2036. Despite the economic impact resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has implemented recovery measures. Social aid, incentives, and fiscal policies lead to a post-pandemic economic growth trajectory. 

For your better understanding of SDGs, we will explore the extensive mapping of the Sustainable Development Goals in Indonesia. This article will thoroughly examine the strides made, the focal areas of attention, and the innovative approaches deployed to address the urgent challenges.

What is Sustainable Development?

Sustainable development is meeting society’s current needs while safeguarding future generations’ ability to meet them without compromise.

It balances economic growth, environmental protection, and social inclusion. Understanding the Sustainable Development Goals meaning is crucial for grasping the importance of this concept.

What are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals?

These 17 Sustainable Development Goals provide a comprehensive framework for a better and more sustainable future. Here’s the list:

1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequality
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals

Why is Sustainability Important?

Sustainability is critical for ensuring a healthy planet and a thriving society. Environmental degradation, social inequality, and economic instability threaten our collective future.

By prioritizing sustainability, we align with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 agenda, ensuring a better future, such as:

• Combat climate change and protect our environment.
• Build a fair and equitable society where everyone has the chance to succeed.
• Drive economic growth that benefits all.

Benefits of Sustainability

Beyond its ethical importance, sustainability offers numerous benefits for businesses:

• Environmental Protection: Reduces carbon footprint and conserves natural resources.
• Economic Growth: Promotes efficient use of resources, leading to cost savings and innovation.
• Social Equity: Ensures fair distribution of resources and opportunities, enhancing quality of life.

Adopting sustainability practices brings significant benefits, contributing to the broader sustainable development list.

How to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

Efforts to achieve these goals are particularly relevant for regions like Indonesia’s sustainability, where environmental and social challenges are pressing. Here are the steps businesses can take:

• Conduct A Sustainability Audit: Identify areas for improvement.
• Set Achievable Goals: Focus on specific SDGs that align with your business strategy.
• Develop A Sustainability Plan: Outline actions and resources needed to achieve your goals.
• Collaborate with Stakeholders: Engage employees, suppliers, and customers in your sustainability journey.
• Measure and Report on Progress: Track your impact and adjust your strategy.

How do SDGs Help Businesses?

The SDGs offer a framework for businesses to align their strategies with global priorities. By integrating SDGs into their operations, companies can:

• Enhance brand reputation and customer loyalty.
• Access new markets and unlock investment opportunities.
• Improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.
• Foster innovation through sustainable practices.
• Attract and retain top talent committed to sustainability.

Read more: Understanding The Environmental Sustainability in Business

SDGs Implementation in Indonesia

Through strategic investments, Indonesia is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of its populace. will address various sectors, including health, education, infrastructure, and technology. The ultimate goal is to bring Indonesia into a golden age and serve as an exemplary model for neighboring nations.

The overarching ambition is for Indonesia to attain developed country status with a solid competitive edge by 2045. Through collaboration and partnerships, the government envisions a prosperous, secure, sovereign, independent, and competitive nation. Therefore, the emphasis is on advancing human resources and public welfare.

Government Efforts to Achieve the SDGs in Indonesia

At the 10th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), Ivanovich, representing Indonesia, revealed that the country has surpassed 50% of its SDGs indicators.  This announcement occurred during the UN conference organized by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Ivanovich also highlighted notable advancements in various areas. Sanitation, public transport safety, water resources, energy efficiency, sustainable industry, carbon emissions reduction, high-tech industrial product exports, and data availability are among others to show progress. 

The Indonesian government relies heavily on data to ensure the achievement of targets. The government emphasized the need to enhance data quality and disaggregation, particularly for marginalized groups.

The National SDGs Secretariat of Indonesia collaborated closely with local governments, stakeholders, universities, academic communities, and international development partners by proposing an inclusive approach. Indonesia aims to realize all Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Strategy to Accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals

In his opening speech at the APFSD, Abdul Halim Iskandar, the Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, Stressed the importance of inclusivity in SDG achievement and expressed optimism about the SDG Village initiative.

He also emphasized the importance of a local perspective in prioritizing Indonesia’s vision and grounding the SDGs at the village level through the SDGs Desa initiative. Village administrations in Indonesia cover 91 percent of the lowest level of government and have a significant population of 214 million rural residents. 

The SDGs Desa program aims to reformulate village development, empower local communities in decision-making, and utilize local potential to improve living standards. Thus, it aims to make them independently embody the philosophy that building a nation “takes a village.”

The aim is to accelerate village development by implementing the 17 SDGs under the SDGs Desa initiative, which now includes an additional 18th goal. The program utilizes data on population, households, and developmental needs, which is accessible online. 

Challenges and Opportunities for Achieving the SDGs in Indonesia

The Sustainable Development Goals are indeed ambitious. Numerous countries collectively pursue it. However, each country faces unique constraints in its pursuit of these goals. In Indonesia’s case, the following issues challenge its SDG achievement.

Inadequate Human Resources

Collecting and analyzing SDG data is challenging because sufficient personnel with the necessary skills and expertise are needed.

Many regions, especially developing countries, need more trained professionals to implement and manage sustainability projects. This gap hinders the effective execution of sustainable practices and policies.

Efforts to build capacity through education, training programs, and international collaboration are essential to overcome this challenge. Investing in human capital improves the workforce’s ability to contribute to sustainable development and enhances overall economic growth.

Budget Constraints

More financial resources allocated to ministries, agencies, and regions help provide SDG data. Conversely, limited funding can impact data collection, analysis, and dissemination efforts.

Addressing this issue requires innovative financing solutions, such as public-private partnerships, green bonds, and international aid. Governments and businesses must prioritize sustainability in their budgeting processes to ensure continuous investment in sustainable development.

Lack of Optimal Collaboration

Effective collaboration among stakeholders is essential for robust SDG data provision. To ensure the availability and accuracy of SDG data, optimal collaboration between different parties involved in data collection and reporting is needed.

Disaggregation of Statistics

Providing SDG data requires disaggregating statistics to describe specific trends and patterns within subpopulations. Detailed data on different demographic groups requires additional resources and methodologies.

The challenges above can be overcome by primary statistical innovation, which can help overcome resource limitations and improve the quality of SDG data. Furthermore, fostering stronger collaboration among diverse stakeholders can promote better coordination and communication.

Lastly, establishing a national statistical governance framework in Indonesia can provide opportunities for advancing the achievement of SDGs by streamlining data processes.

Conclusion

Enhancing SDG data provision can have a profound and far-reaching impact on various aspects of the economy.

By improving the availability and accuracy of SDG data, businesses and entrepreneurs can make more informed decisions, align with sustainability goals, and create positive social and environmental outcomes. 

At InCorp Indonesia (an Ascentium Company), we acknowledge the significance of ESG matters and provide extensive services to assist companies in their ESG journey.

Here’s how we can empower your company:

• Expert Guidance: Our consultant will help you assess current practices, identify improvements, and develop a tailored ESG strategy.
• Actionable Resources: Access best practice guides, industry benchmarks, and data-driven insights to support your sustainability efforts.
• Seamless Implementation: We assist with stakeholder engagement, risk management, and reporting to ensure smooth ESG strategy execution.
• Measurable Impact: We’ll help you set clear metrics and KPIs to track progress and show your commitment to sustainability.

Fill out the form below to schedule a consultation and discuss how our ESG services can help your business achieve its sustainability goals.