Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the Makassar City Government have agreed to collaborate on implementing the tri-dharma of higher education.
This collaboration focused on developing a Low Carbon City and was signed by UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia and Makassar Mayor Moh Ramadhan Pomanto at the UGM University Club (UC) on Tuesday (May 15).
This collaboration arises from the reality that several ASEAN countries experienced heat waves in May 2024. This situation has impacted productivity, leading to school closures, restricted public activities, and, in worst cases, fatalities.
The rise in environmental temperature is an unavoidable consequence of climate change, driven by increasing carbon emissions on Earth. UGM researchers, in collaboration with other institutions, continuously analyze the impacts of climate change in urban and rural areas.
This effort is part of a broader goal to develop comprehensive solutions to various challenges in sustainable development in tropical regions.
Rector Emilia expressed gratitude to the Makassar government for its trust and the opportunity to build a partnership, which allowed both parties to learn from each other. UGM is particularly interested in visiting Makassar to observe the city’s successful carbon emission reduction program.
“Hearing the explanation from Mr. Mayor was extraordinary. I strongly desire to visit Makassar because what is practiced there is real. I know that managing Makassar is not an easy task,” she said.
The rector believes that the successful concepts implemented in Makassar can be studied and replicated elsewhere. She emphasized that the success of developing a low-carbon city is not just about models or schemes but about creating a significant movement originating from the community.
“This is what we highly appreciate: making the movement in Makassar continuous and lasting for more than eight years. For the UGM Center for Energy Studies (PSE UGM), this is a homework assignment to share knowledge and demonstrate how to reduce carbon in various ways,” she stated.
This collaboration aims to optimize both parties’ potential. By synergizing, they can mutually benefit many parties within the framework of the tri-dharma of higher education.
“Climate change impact is a global concern and continues to be a subject of study for researchers, including those at UGM and ITB. Cooperation with many institutions is necessary to build comprehensive solutions,” she added.
Makassar Mayor Moh Ramadhan Pomanto emphasized that reducing carbon emissions is a necessary program. It is not just about Makassar, Yogyakarta, or Indonesia but about the world facing a temperature increase reaching approximately 1.4 degrees Celsius.
“Today, the world is committed to not exceeding 1.5 degrees. This commitment is not just local or national but a global issue, making this collaboration a very interesting movement,” the mayor explained.
He noted that creating a low-carbon city is about technology and changing people’s behavior. He cited Makassar, where behavioral change starts from the city’s small alleys, which are part of the city’s structure.
“The issue of carbon emissions fundamentally revolves around human behavior. All of this happens because of human behavior,” emphasized Danny, the Mayor’s nickname.
In Makassar, Public Engagement and the Sentuh Hati Protocol transform alleys into tourist attractions. The government intervenes by providing vegetable or fishery seedlings, which develop into economic circulation, empower the community, and create green environments.
The mayor also explained the social restructuring in Makassar, which involves new institutions to engage the community, such as Bassi Barania, which consists of local influencers, and the Lorong Council, which has three components: Charismatic Leader, Woman Leader, and Millennial Leader.
According to the mayor, lowering carbon emissions requires careful planning, strong leadership, public involvement, and continuous evaluation. He hopes this meeting can strengthen collaboration and refine Makassar’s and other cities’ efforts toward becoming low-carbon cities.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Donnie