Jakarta. Implementing a green economy within the business sector can contribute hundreds of trillions of rupiah to Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and create millions of new green jobs by 2030, according to the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas).

Deputy for Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources at Bappenas, Vivi Yulaswati, said that applying a green economy through the circular economy in five main sectors—food and beverage industry, retail, textiles, electronics, and building materials—has a significant impact on Indonesia's economy.

"One of the impacts of applying a circular economy in key sectors is the potential to generate GDP up to Rp 600 trillion and create 4.4 million new green jobs," said Vivi at the “Media Luncheon: Road to Green Economy Expo” in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Vivi added that the calculation of this green economy contribution is based on a government study supported by the Danish government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

"These new jobs will be in industries such as electric vehicles (EV), waste management, recycling, and others that we aim to expand in the future. About 75 percent of the 4.4 million new jobs will involve women," she noted.

For the first time in Indonesia, Bappenas will hold the Green Economy Expo 2024, themed “Advancing Technology, Innovation, and Circularity,” at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) from July 3-5, in a bid to promote awareness of the potential of a green economy.

"We want to encourage as many parties as possible to implement green economy principles. Going forward, we want Indonesia to continue growing economically, but not in the usual way, as global commitments require Indonesia to grow greener," Vivi told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The forum will feature exhibitions, the launch of the Circular Economy Roadmap, the launch of the National Roadmap for Food Loss and Waste Management, MoU signings, business pitching, talk shows/seminars, and business matching.

Bappenas aims to involve various stakeholders as participants, partners, and collaborators. They are targeting ministries/agencies, private companies, startups and small and medium enterprises, state-owned enterprises, financial institutions, academics, students, and the general public.

"To be greener, many transformations are needed, along with concrete implementations and actions. In the business world, such as in startups and MSMEs, many innovations and technologies are already being used to create a green economy, particularly through the circular economy," Vivi noted.

Vivi provided examples of companies developing circular economies by utilizing resources that reduce emissions and waste, such as building materials made from plastic waste and synthetic leather made from mushrooms.

"Since many are already doing this, we are providing an opportunity to showcase what has been done so we can replicate these efforts in the future. The Green Economy Expo aims to introduce various innovations and technologies used to achieve a green economy more quickly," she concluded.