Indonesia's Environmental Quality Index Increased in 2021

Indonesia's Environmental Quality Index (EQI) increased in 2021. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) recorded an EQI score of 71.43 points last year, a 1.16-point increase from 70.72 points in 2020.

The EQI increase was driven by improvements in the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the Seawater Quality Index (SQI). The AQI score in 2021 was 87.23 points, a 0.02-point increase compared to 2020.

Meanwhile, the SQI score last year was 81.03 points, a 12.09-point increase compared to 2020.

Last year's EQI score also exceeded the target set in the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN). The RPJMN's EQI target was 68.96 points.

28 provinces successfully achieved the 2021 EQI target, while 6 other provinces did not meet the target.

According to the Director General of Pollution Control and Environmental Damage (PPKL) KLHK, Ir. Sigit Reliantoro, achieving the EQI target is one of the criteria for evaluating the performance of environmental development in the regions. The provisional 2021 EQI value is in the "good" range.

Since 2015, the EQI score has generally increased, although it decreased in 2016 and 2018. A sharp increase occurred in 2020, from 66.55 points in 2019 to 70.27 points.

The Environmental Quality Index is a value that describes the quality of the environment in a region. This index is calculated from a composite value consisting of the water quality index, air quality index, land quality index, and seawater quality index.