(In the picture) The Mayor of Probolinggo, Dr. Aminuddin, with Ambalan Bisma Srikandi, students of SMKN 1 Kota Probolinggo, along with over 1,000 students who joined the planting of 1,000 mangrove trees at Permata-Pilang Beach on June 18, 2025, to celebrate World Environment Day. Source: Probolinggo City Government
Probolinggo City, Indonesia, has officially become the 17th ICLEI member from Indonesia and the 67th member in Southeast Asia, joining a global network of local governments working together to build more sustainable, livable communities.
Covering about 56.67 square kilometers, Probolinggo is a compact coastal city in East Java, home to around 243,050 people as of 2023. It features mangrove forests, vibrant coral reefs, and diverse marine biodiversity—though it’s increasingly vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise.
Probolinggo stands out for its bold commitment to becoming a climate-resilient city, taking proactive steps in both climate change mitigation and adaptation. According to Low Carbon Development Indonesia, the city is among the priority regions for climate-resilient development.
BJBR Mangrove Forest, a leading eco-tourism attraction in Probolinggo City. Source: (instagram.com/beejaybakauresort)
Its local environmental leadership has earned national recognition as the winner of the One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) for 2023-2024—in a program co-organized by WWF, ICLEI Indonesia, and CDP Asia Pacific. The city also gained global recognition by winning the We Love Cities (WLC) competition in those same years.
These achievements highlight the city’s effort to reduce plastic waste by 5 tonnes per month, expanding green open space to 30% to improve residents’ quality of life, and promoting ecotourism through tree-planting efforts across 29.95 km² of mangrove forest in Permata Beach and BJBR. Favoring nature-based solutions (NbS), mangrove forests stretch along the coast of Probolinggo City, forming a coastal green belt that acts as a greenhouse gas absorber.
Probolinggo City first laid out its climate action plan in 2013 through Mayor Regulation Number 37, outlining plans to reduce emissions and adapt to the climate crisis.
Dr. Aminuddin, the new mayor of Probolinggo City who started his term in 2025, is building on the city’s work to become more sustainable and climate-friendly. In his first 100 days, he has focused on involving local communities and officials in waste management and green activities, like the 2025 “Waste Awareness Lifestyle Movement” and tree-planting activities around the city.
ICLEI Indonesia conducted a site visit to the Pilang Climate Village, RW 1 Pilang, Probolinggo City, Indonesia on 30 August to 1 September 2022. Source: ICLEI Indonesia
The city is also actively involved in environmental ministry programs such as the ProKlim/ Climate Villages, Adiwiyata, and Eco Pesantren, which promote environmental stewardship. In addition, the Environmental Agency of Probolinggo City leads several innovative, community-based climate action initiatives. These include Si Mak Ngebor Lober, which creates large biopore holes to improve water absorption; Jepanik, an organic waste collection service; Jepanas, which supports waste banks by collecting recyclables; Kang Say, which encourages home-grown vegetables in Kampung Jati; and a project in Sumber Wetan that transforms wood waste into household tools.
As part of the city’s NbS efforts, maggot cultivation using black soldier flies has helped set up a facility that brings together local communities and private partners to turn food waste into sustainable nutrition. In 2023 alone, the project kept over 70 tonnes of food waste out of landfills and produced more than 3.6 tonnes of protein.
With these efforts, Probolinggo shows how climate action can be practical, local, and full of community spirit.
Acting Mayor M. Taufik Kurniawan of Probolinggo City receives the 2024 OPCC winner award during Beyond Wildlife for Indonesia: Eco Echo event in Jakarta on December 5, 2024. Source: ICLEI Indonesia.
Through its engagement with the ICLEI network, the Probolinggo Environmental and Regional Development Planning Department actively participates in capacity-building initiatives led by ICLEI Indonesia, including the RENEW-SEA and the CLARE-SIRA projects.
As an official member of ICLEI, the city is expected to lead in advancing sustainability, setting a powerful example for other cities while supporting national and global climate initiatives.
