Every year on June 5, the world observes World Environment Day (WED), a global platform aimed at raising awareness about the importance of the environment and encouraging concrete actions to address ecological challenges.
In 2025, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has chosen the theme “Ending Plastic Pollution”, highlighting the urgency of tackling one of today’s most pressing environmental crises, plastic pollution, which is damaging terrestrial and marine ecosystems and threatening human health and planetary sustainability.
This theme serves as a reminder that plastic waste management is not solely the responsibility of governments, but a collective duty that involves individuals, communities, businesses, and educational institutions.
As part of its support for this campaign, PT Paiton Energy, in collaboration with local communities and the Probolinggo Environmental Agency (DLH), is launching a series of on-the-ground initiatives, including educational activities for children at Hutan Kota (Urban Forest) on June 10.
This observance is a critical moment to reinforce global awareness of environmental issues and foster collaboration among governments, businesses, communities, and individuals in crafting sustainable solutions for our planet.
As a company committed to sustainable energy, PT Paiton Energy consistently plays an active role in supporting environmental preservation through various collaborative initiatives.
Environmental Education in Hutan Kota: Fostering Change from an Early Age
To commemorate World Environment Day 2025 under the theme “Ending Plastic Pollution”, PT Paiton Energy is working with environmental communities and DLH Probolinggo to organize an educational workshop.
The event will be held on June 10, 2025, at Hutan Kota Probolinggo, and is expected to gather 100 elementary school students from nearby schools. Additionally, 25 high school students from GenBI (Indonesia’s Young Generation) will serve as environmental mentors.
This activity aims to instill environmental values in children from an early age. PT Paiton Energy believes that children are future agents of change with the potential to foster lasting environmentally friendly behaviors.
Why is World Environment Day Important?
First established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1974, World Environment Day serves to:
- Raise Awareness: Educate the public on environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, and deforestation.
- Encourage Action: Inspire individuals and organizations to take concrete steps to reduce their environmental impact.
- Strengthen Environmental Policy: Provide insights and momentum for governments and businesses to adopt more sustainable policies.
Furthermore, building a deeper understanding of the critical role the environment plays in human life is essential to cultivating a society that sees nature conservation as the foundation of a healthy and sustainable future.
Addressing environmental crises requires multi-stakeholder collaboration, as no single entity—government, corporation, or individual—can solve them alone. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be achieved through strategic partnerships between public, private, and community sectors.
Greenthing Beach: A Living Example of Environmental Collaboration
Located in Paiton, Probolinggo, Greenthing Beach is a testament to how collaboration among government, businesses, and local communities can transform a coastal area into a model for sustainable tourism.
History and Preservation
Once known as Dusun Grinting, the area was lost to coastal erosion. In its memory, it was renamed Greenthing Beach and developed into an ecotourism destination emphasizing nature conservation.
The development of the beach integrates the environmental, social, and economic needs of coastal communities.
Environmental Initiatives at Greenthing Beach
- Coastal Clean-up Programs: Educate visitors on environmental awareness and plastic waste reduction.
- Mangrove Rehabilitation: Prevent coastal erosion and preserve biodiversity.
- Community Empowerment: Generate jobs through sustainable tourism that relies on a healthy ecosystem.
Binor Fishermen & Marine Conservation through Collaboration
In April 2016, Johan, leader of the Binor Fishermen Group, expressed the community’s need for fish aggregating devices (FADs)—artificial structures that attract fish. Through the support of various parties, including PT POMI-PT Paiton Energy, the Probolinggo Fisheries Office, and PLTU Paiton, the fishermen successfully implemented a program that not only increased fish yields but also helped preserve marine ecosystems.
Positive Impact of FADs on the Environment and Local Economy
- Increased Fish Populations: FADs attract valuable species such as Putihan, Red Snapper, Rabbitfish, and Grouper.
- Higher Fish Prices: Fish from FADs sell for IDR 35,000–90,000/kg, significantly higher than conventional catches.
- Fishing Tourism: The FADs have been developed into a fishing tourism attraction, providing additional income for fishermen.
Safeguarding Probolinggo’s Coastal Ecosystem
As a company operating in a coastal region, PT Paiton Energy recognizes that industrial development must be balanced with environmental preservation. The company has launched several innovative programs in collaboration with local authorities, academic institutions, and communities to restore and protect the coastal ecosystem.
Environmental education is a core pillar of these programs. Through outreach and training, communities are empowered to understand the importance of coastal conservation and how to use natural resources sustainably.
These efforts not only raise environmental awareness but also provide practical skills, such as eco-friendly aquaculture and efficient waste management techniques.
Focus on Mangrove Rehabilitation
One of PT Paiton Energy’s primary conservation efforts is mangrove rehabilitation. The areas reforested and maintained have yielded multiple benefits—preventing coastal erosion, absorbing carbon emissions, and providing habitats for marine life.
Significantly, these projects directly involve local community groups in the planting and maintenance process, fostering a sense of ownership while creating economic opportunities through eco-tourism.
Strategic Partnerships and a Holistic Approach
Multi-stakeholder partnerships are the cornerstone of these successes. PT Paiton Energy works closely with the local government, including the Environmental and Fisheries Agencies, collaborates with academic institutions for research and innovation, and empowers local communities.
This holistic approach has delivered measurable outcomes—from expanded mangrove coverage and increased marine-based economic activity to the creation of a development model that harmonizes industrial progress with environmental stewardship.
Together Toward a Greener Future
World Environment Day 2025 is a powerful reminder that sustainability is a shared responsibility. By taking real actions and embracing the importance of the environment in human life, we can build a better future for generations to come.
As the saying goes, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
Let us use this occasion to commit to wiser choices—because every small step today shapes the quality of life tomorrow.
