Jakarta — The United Nations in Indonesia and its partners marked World Environment Day 2026 by urging communities, particularly young people, to take concrete action against climate change through the Green Community Festival in Jakarta on Thursday, June 25.
Held at Taman Martha Christina Tiahahu at Taman Literasi Blok M, the event attracted around 1,000 participants for a day of discussions, workshops, and activities focused on environmental action.
The festival comes amid growing concern over the accelerating climate crisis, as rising global temperatures and increasingly severe climate-related disasters continue to impact communities worldwide.
“Climate action is not only about big policies. It is also about the choices we make every day, at home, at school, in our communities, and in the way we care for each other,” said Miklos Gaspar, Director of the United Nations Information Centre in Indonesia.
He said World Environment Day serves as a reminder to respond urgently to environmental challenges through collective action.
The event featured urban farming workshops, a talkshow on green investment, sustainability games, music performances, and exhibition booths from UNICEF, UNDP, FAO, IOM, UNHCR, IOM and UN Women, government partners, civil society organisations, and environmental communities.
A major highlight of the festival was the announcement of winners for the Cool School Challenges, a youth climate initiative encouraging high schools across Indonesia to develop ideas for more sustainable schools and communities.
The competition received 76 submissions from schools across the country, with 15 finalists selected from regions including Java, East Kalimantan, Aceh, West Nusa Tenggara, East Java, Central Java, and West Java.
Student proposals focused on school greening, waste reduction, urban farming, energy efficiency, environmental campaigns, and community-based climate solutions.
“The 76 submissions show that young people are not waiting for others to act. They are already starting from their own schools and communities,” Gaspar said.
The top prize went to SMA Al Umanaa Boarding School in Sukabumi. Santa Ursula School placed second, while SMAN 1 Bekasi secured third place. The UN in Indonesia congratulated all finalists, praising their creativity and leadership in climate action.
The festival underscored that addressing climate change can begin with everyday actions such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting sustainable food systems, while also stressing the urgency of broader collective action as the window to address the climate crisis narrows. (nsh)
Banner photo: Green Investing for Cooler Earth talkshow by Andrea Angela from Green Rising, Luckmi Purwandari, The Head of the Centre for the Development of the Next Generation of Forest Conservationists at the Ministry of Forestry, and Michelle Ghozali, Director of Harmoni Usaha Indonesia. June 25, 2026. Credit Photo: Talitha Vanya/United Nations Information Centre (UNIC)
Update: 26 June 2026/08.33, adding names of UN agencies participating in the event.