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A Sustainability Reflection : Jakarta’s Air Quality During Eid al-Fitr 2026

  • 12 hours ago
  • 3 min read
COVER

During the 2026 Eid al-Fitr celebrations, Jakarta a city long associated with severe air pollution recorded a remarkable improvement in air quality. For a brief period, Jakarta even surpassed global cities such as Seoul and London in terms of air quality. This event is not merely a fleeting piece of good news, but a significant reflection for sustainability discourse, particularly in the context of urban living and carbon emissions management.


Jakarta Air Quality Data During Eid al-Fitr 2026

Throughout the Eid al-Fitr holiday, Jakarta’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hovered around 50, classified as ‘good’—an achievement rarely seen under normal circumstances. In comparison:

  • Seoul recorded a higher AQI than Jakarta

  • London also posted figures above Jakarta

In other words, Jakarta briefly transformed into one of the world’s cleanest major cities.


Factors Behind Jakarta’s Improved Air Quality

  1. Reduced Vehicle Volume

    • Millions of residents left the city to return to their hometowns, leaving streets deserted.

    • Congestion and vehicular emissions dropped dramatically.

    • Road transport remains the main contributor to Jakarta’s air pollution.

  2. Slowed Industrial and Office Activities

    • The extended holiday saw many industries and offices close temporarily.

    • Emissions from these sectors fell significantly.

    • Logistics activity also slowed.

  3. Lower Energy Consumption

    • With business activities reduced, electricity usage fell.

    • Emissions from power generation also declined.

    • There is a direct correlation between energy consumption and air quality.


Jakarta Clear Sky

Direct Positive Impacts Observed by Residents

  • The sky appeared bluer, and the air felt fresher.

  • Visibility increased.

  • Pollution exposure was noticeably reduced.

  • Urban quality of life improved as pollution was curbed.


Sustainability Insight: Jakarta as a Low-Emission City Experiment

The Lebaran 2026 phenomenon served as a ‘natural laboratory’ for a sustainable city. Key takeaways include:

  • Air pollution is reversible.

  • Changes in human activity have immediate impact.

  • Large cities have significant potential to transform towards environmental friendliness.

  • Jakarta could genuinely become a low emission city with sustained effort.


Comparison with Global Cities

Although Seoul and London have more advanced transport systems and environmental regulations, air quality is still highly influenced by:

  • Stable economic activities and daily mobility

  • Geographical and weather factors

  • Jakarta experienced an extreme drop in activity, which instantly improved air quality


Jakarta Traffic Jam

Post-Lebaran: Air Quality Deteriorates Again

Unfortunately, the improvement proved temporary. Once residents returned:

  • Vehicles again crowded the streets

  • Industrial and office activity resumed

  • Emissions increased, and Jakarta’s AQI returned to ‘unhealthy’ levels within days

This confirms that Jakarta’s pollution problem is not unsolvable, but has yet to be managed consistently.


Implications and Recommendations for Sustainability Strategy

Government

  • Strengthen public transport

  • Enforce emission restrictions

  • Provide incentives for electric vehicles

  • Adopt sustainability-based urban planning

Business Sector

  • Implement ESG strategies

  • Reduce operational carbon footprint

  • Embrace hybrid working policies

Society

  • Reduce private vehicle use

  • Increase environmental awareness

  • Adopt sustainable lifestyles


Conclusion

Jakarta’s experience during Lebaran 2026 demonstrates that clean air is not an impossibility. However, without systemic changes and consistent policy, this achievement will remain seasonal and temporary.


Is Jakarta ready to maintain better air quality in a sustainable manner?



References

Oswaldo, I. G. (11 March 2026). 143.9 Million People Predicted to Travel Home for Lebaran 2026, Majority Using Private Cars. Detik Finance. https://finance.detik

Kencana, M. R. (14 March 2026). With Residents Away, Jakarta’s Electricity Consumption Drops by 2,000 MW During Lebaran 2026. Liputan6.com. https://www.liputan6.com

Huda, L. (9 April 2025). After Lebaran Holiday, Jakarta’s Air Quality Unhealthy Today. Kompas.com. https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/

(2024). World Air Quality Index (AQI) Ranking. IQAir. https://www.iqair

 

 

 
 
 

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