Emil Salim: Nature Must Be the Basis of Indonesian Development

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- National environmental figure Prof Emil Salim recalls the importance of placing nature as the foundation of Indonesia's development amid the growing threat of climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, and environmental pollution.

In commemoration of World Environment Day 2026 which bears the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future”, Emil considers that a development approach oriented only to the exploitation of natural resources is no longer relevant. According to him, development should take into account the characteristics of Indonesia as a tropical country that has an active ecosystem throughout the year.

“The way to cultivate nature is not with that nature as an object, but how humans grow to utilize nature without overhauling the functioning of that nature's life,” Emil said in his statement on Saturday (6/6/2026).

The founders of the KEHATI Foundation believe that the relationship between man and nature should be built on the principle of interdependence. Every development sector, from agriculture to industry, needs to take into account the sustainability of ecosystem functions so as not to trigger greater environmental damage.

KEHATI Foundation Executive Director Riki Frindos said that Indonesia's biodiversity is an important asset that supports the security of climate, food, water, health, and society's economy. “The best investments for the future are investments in nature conservation and ecosystem restoration,” Riki said.

Emil also emphasizes the importance of environmental education that is able to establish a comprehensive way of looking at the relationship between humans and nature. According to him, this understanding will be an important asset for the younger generation in facing the environmental challenges of the future.

“The holistic view, the view of the environment is at the heart of learning for survival without killing other elements of life. That's the way of environmentally conscious development,” he said.

A similar message was delivered by the government during the commemoration of World Environment Day 2026 held in Jakarta. Environment Minister/Head of the Environmental Control Agency Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat said the world is currently facing three major crises: climate change, loss of biodiversity, and environmental pollution.

“World Environment Day 2026 is a momentum for all of us to reflect, realize mistakes, and move to improve our relationship with nature,” Jumhur said.

Through the national theme “It's Time to Work for the Climate”, the government encourages a range of environmental actions that people can take, including sorting waste from sources as a simple step to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Minister of National Development Planning/Chief Bappenas Rachmat Pambudy insists the success of the national development agenda largely depends on the quality of the maintained living environment.

“The president has very concrete programs related to food self-sufficiency, water self-sufficiency, and energy self-sufficiency. All of that will not be achieved if the living environment is not well maintained,” Pambudy said.

This year's World Environment Day commemorations reinforce the message that nature protection is not just an environmental agenda, but a prerequisite for long-term development. The call is in line with Emil Salim's view that places nature as the foundation for economic sustainability, public welfare, and the future of future generations.