Successfully Delivered 3 Villages to Be Main Proklim, Here's the Success Story of the Pertamina Plaju Refinery

Palembang, April 19, 2022 - PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Unit III Plaju Refinery (Pertamina Plaju Refinery) continues to be committed in supporting the government's vision of reducing climate change impact in the future. One of these commitments has been realized by becoming a supporting company for the Climate Village Program (Proklim).

It was conveyed by Communication, Relations & CSR Area Manager of Pertamina Refinery Plaju, Siti Rachmi Indahsari on a Podcast held by the Environment and Land Service (DLHP) of South Sumatera Province (Sumsel) on Wednesday (13/4), with the Head of Climate Change DLHP South Sumatera Radian Fahmi, S.Hut., M.H.

As explained by Fahmi, the Proklim, managed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) of the Republic of Indonesia, aims to involve the community in adaptation actions to climate change, strengthening capacity, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Moreover, said Fahmi, Proklim is held to recognize local governments that have supported the implementation of Proklim in their regions. "The South Sumatera Provincial Government has received appreciation for four years in a row from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry since 2018," said Fahmi.

Proklim is also a room for recognition for the Proklim supporters, including academics, society, and the business world. Thus, according to him, the implementation of Proklim requires the collaboration of various elements.

"The government and various elements collaborate with the APBD, companies with their CSR funds, and universities with their dedication and research," said Fahmi.

The collaboration between these elements will ultimately encourage the dissemination of adaptation and mitigation actions that have been successful to be implemented in a wider scope.

The Pertamina Plaju refinery has supported Proklim implementation in Plaju District as the company's ring 1 area since 2018, starting in a location known to be a slum, Lorong Mari, Talangbubuk Village, with the entrance through the Mari Berkreasi CSR program.

The activity, which started in Lorong Mari in 2018, has provided benefits to 2,164 beneficiaries, both directly and indirectly, until finally obtaining the 2020 Main Proklim award from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and receiving the same award again in 2021.

In 2021, through various CSR initiatives, Pertamina Plaju Refinery replicated the Proklim village location in Plaju District into 11 locations, 2 of which won the Main Proklim category (RW 2 and RW 16 Plaju Ulu Village), and 8 locations won the Middle Proklim category.

Rachmi admitted that community involvement was extraordinary, even though it required long process. "We continue to activate locations that have potential," said Rachmi.

The presence of oil processing companies in South Sumatera in supporting the climate control agenda departs from global awareness of environmental issues. "Everyone has to come down, everyone has to care," said Rachmi.

Rachmi said, in the business world, it is mandated to develop Environmental Social Responsibility (TJSL) programs, in addition to making business entities accepted by the local environment.

"By working with the community, InsyaAllah, they will support Pertamina Plaju refinery presence at their location," continued Rachmi.

According to her, Proklim is a place for extraordinary synergy between companies, the government, and the community who are already starting to realize the importance of protecting the environment. "This is a Penta helix synergy that we hope will continue to be established," said Rachmi.

Involving Local Hero

Community involvement is necessary for supporting Proklim's successful implementation. In Plaju District, the figure who has always consistently worked hand in hand with the Pertamina Plaju Refinery in implementing Proklim is Chairul Bahri, familiarly called Kak Elonk, a local hero who lives in Lorong Mari.

He drives various creations at various points that play a role in the Proklim implementation in the sub-district where he grew up. One of them is the Water Barrel Irrigation System (TERALIS) innovation, which he developed with the Pertamina CSR team, adopted from the Plaju refinery.

TERALIS collects rainwater that can be used for hydroponic irrigation, which also supports reforestation efforts in urban areas. There is also Demang Panca (Heat and Light Energy Food Dehydrator) which speeds up the drying process of herbal plants into raw tea materials.

Another creation is non-B3 waste usage, which is processed into various items such as sinks, chairs, tables, and others through the Let's Be Creative Workshop with a touch of Elonk's hands with an artist background, inviting other people.

Elonk's intention to change the image of his hometown has never faded. With the support of the Pertamina Plaju refinery, he is increasingly enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge with a wider audience.

Elonk admitted that his party had always tried to raise awareness about the importance of adaptation and mitigation to climate change. "But since 2018, we have been introduced to Proklim by the Pertamina Plaju Refinery. Since then, it has started to be structured and managed neatly," he said.

He gathered people in Lorong Mari to unite their views, involving ex-village people who had a diaspora outside with more knowledge. With the spirit that was built together, Elonk and his colleagues managed to decorate the village.

"We hope that our village will change, from slums to modern ones," said Elonk. The steps he took started with spatial planning, beautified with used goods creation into various creative products.

Due to its wide circle of influence, Elonk is always involved in the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) of the Pertamina Plaju Refinery every year to formulate a CSR action plan that supports the Proklim implementation of both in the long and medium-term.

Kak Elonk is so passionate about his role as a local actor driving Proklim that he even identifies himself as a 'Climate Man'.

His goal is simple but noble. He only wants to make people aware of how important it is to protect the environment. "The environment is our home, so every occupant is obliged to care for their home," said Elonk.

Hoping to Open Ways to Embrace Each Other

Still in the podcast, Fahmi hopes that all parties will synergize for climate control in South Sumatera through the Proklim implementation of 2022. In 2021, GHG emission reductions from 77 Proklim locations in South Sumatera reached 172,515.85 Tons of CO2e.

"The President is targeting that by 2024 there will be 20,000 Proklim locations throughout Indonesia," said Fahmi. According to the governor, with Sumsel Maju Untuk Semua vision, he expects the people of South Sumatera to behave in support of climate resilience.

Rachmi hopes that, with increased enthusiasm for contributions from the community, Pertamina Plaju Refinery can support Proklim implementation in Plaju District maximally in 2022.

"We hope that Proklim will pave the way for embracing and caring for environmental change," said Rachmi. According to him, the synergy of various parties is a small step to support government programs in protecting the environment. "If we love the environment, the environment will love us," he stated.

The continuous efforts of the Pertamina Plaju Refinery in supporting Proklim implementation are in line with the thirteenth Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely taking rapid action to address climate change and its impacts.

In this way, Pertamina Plaju Refinery has also succeeded in maintaining social relations with the community through fulfilling the Social aspects according to the ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) criteria.**