Acting Mayor M. Taufik Kurniawan of Probolinggo City received the OPCC winner award, alongside representatives from Jakarta Province, Pontianak City, and Balikpapan City, who were also recognized for their sustainability efforts in the competition.

Probolinggo City, Indonesia has once again emerged as a leader in environmental sustainability, securing first place in the national One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) and winning the global We Love Cities (WLC) 2024 campaign-competition. Jakarta Province, as a leading contender, was also present to receive the award as an OPCC Legend, while Pontianak City was part of the national finalists. These accolades were presented at the Beyond Wildlife for Indonesia: Eco Echo event in Jakarta on December 5, 2024. The event, organized by WWF Indonesia, celebrated cities’ commitment to combating climate change and preserving biodiversity.

The event featured a City Leaders Talk session on Southeast Asian cities’ commitment to the Paris Agreement, with notable speakers including Acting Mayor M. Taufik Kurniawan of Probolinggo City; Acting Mayor Edi Suryanto of Pontianak; a representative from the Indonesian Ministry of Environment; Hon. Agripino Coquilla, City Counselor from Tagum City, Philippines; and environmental activist Nadine Chandrawinata.

During the City Leaders Talk session on Southeast Asian cities’ commitment to the Paris Agreement, Probolinggo’s Acting Mayor, M. Taufik Kurniawan, shared valuable insights into the city’s environmental conservation efforts. He highlighted Permata Pilang Beach, where the city’s mangrove planting initiative began in 2010, marking the start of their long-term environmental efforts. Nature-based solutions, such as mangrove restoration, have been a central strategy in the city’s climate action plan. These solutions provide multiple co-benefits, including emissions reduction, coastal protection, enhanced biodiversity, and support for the local economy through ecotourism.

He further elaborated on the importance of community involvement for collective action and impactful results, especially in a region with strong religious and cultural values. By engaging local and religious leaders and empowering the community, the city has fostered a strong sense of shared responsibility for environmental protection.

“To raise awareness, we encouraged residents to convert vacant lands into green spaces. Moreover, to lead by example, we advocated for collaboration between the local government and the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD)  to turn the city’s sustainability vision into reality,” he stated. As part of this initiative, the city also implemented “Digi-Tree” technology, an innovative tool to promote environmental education and public participation. 

Joining the forum, Pontianak City shared its sustainability initiatives, with Acting Mayor Edi Suryanto emphasizing the city’s strong commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. Through its City Climate Action Plan and Long-Term Development Plan 2025-2045, Pontianak is on a path to becoming a “Leading, Prosperous, and Sustainable” city. The city is tackling challenges like traffic congestion, flooding, and waste with innovative solutions and community-driven strategies.

“We’re focused on transforming our public transport system and educating the community to prioritize sustainability. This shift will reduce pollution, ease congestion, and create a more livable, greener city for everyone,” said Edi Suryanto.

Cities receiving the OPCC awards on December 5, 2024, in Jakarta, include Pontianak City, Probolinggo City, and Balikpapan City from Indonesia, Penang Island and Iskandar from Malaysia, and Baguio City and Tagum City from the Philippines.

This achievement reflects the city’s commitment to a sustainable future, with the collaboration of local residents, government, and various sectors. In the OPCC 2024, Probolinggo surpassed 30 other Indonesian cities and competed against 359 cities worldwide, including 58 cities in Southeast Asia across 48 countries, with 31 cities coming from Indonesia. Among the competitors were 15 cities from the Philippines, 7 from Malaysia, and 5 from Vietnam.

Probolinggo’s success was the result of continuous efforts to reduce emissions, promote climate action, and raise awareness about environmental issues. This ongoing commitment to sustainability and climate action has made Probolinggo a prominent model for other cities, showcasing the importance of collective responsibility and active participation in preserving the planet.

Probolinggo was also declared the global winner of WLC 2022, in addition to being a national finalist of the same year’s OPCC. 

OPCC is a biennial global competition fostering city partnerships. In 2022-23, WWF partnered with ICLEI to help Indonesian cities submit climate action plans through the CDP-ICLEI Track, focusing on adaptation and mitigation. This initiative highlights the importance of both wildlife preservation and human sustainability, with Probolinggo and other cities leading the way in protecting the environment for future generations.