'Green growth is priority for GGGI'

By Kim Se-jeong

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, chairman of the Global Green Growth Institute

To Indonesia’s former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the unusually rainy November in Jakarta this year is an effect of climate change and another reminder that traditional economic growth based on fossil-fuel is no longer viable.

Many other world leaders share this sentiment and are contemplating on how to develop the economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As the chairman of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), an international organization based in Seoul, Yudhoyono will leading the global discussion on this issue. He was sworn in as the chairman with a two-year term on Tuesday in Songdo, Incheon.

“I will ensure that the green growth concept will be the priority for the national development agenda (for countries around the world),” the chairman said during an interview in Songdo, Wednesday.

Yudhoyono was first elected president of Indonesia in 2004 and was re-elected in 2009. He completed his term in October this year.

The green growth concept is an alternative to the traditional concept of industrial economic growth. Former President Lee Myung-bak adopted it as the national growth strategy for Korea, and encouraged other countries to do the same.

The GGGI was founded in 2010 based on the green growth concept. The international organization shares developed nations’ green growth knowledge and experience with developing countries that need them the most. Currently, it has 24 member states, and considers expanding membership as a priority.

“I promised to have talks with my friends abroad. I know all the leaders of G20, for example. Also (I know) the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) leaders,” the chairman said.

Yudhoyono said he is an active supporter of green growth and as president of Indonesia, spearheaded initiatives to implement the concept.

For example, he pushed to increase the share of renewable energy in Indonesia’s energy mix, which was dominated by natural gas and petroleum. According to the International Energy Agency, between 2004 and 2012, electricity generated by biofuels and geothermal, hydro, wind and solar energy grew from 16,350 gigawatt hours to 22,368 gigawatt hours, a 36.8 percent increase.

Yudhoyono served in the military and studied economics in college. He received a master’s degree in management from Webster University in the United States in 1991 and a doctoral degree in agricultural economics from Bogor Agricultural University in 2004. Prior to running for president, he also served as mine and energy minister from 1999 to 2000.

He acknowledged the importance of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Lima, Peru, this year and Paris next year, and remains hopeful that all countries will reach a consensus on greenhouse gas emission reduction target.