Professor of IPB University, Prof. Hefni Effendi attended a workshop held by Pertamina Hulu Energi – Offshore Northwest Java (PHE ONWJ). The workshop was in preparation for obtaining optimum achievement from PHE ONWJ’s participation in the Company Performance Rating Assessment Program (Proper). This workshop was held to enrich the knowledge of Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) staff about what components should be strengthened.

Proper is a form of appreciation given by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) to corporations regarding their environmental management performance. Meanwhile, environmental performance awards for individuals who have dedicated their lives are presented in the form of Kalpataru. Environmental performance awards for cities are expressed in the form of Adipura.

Prof. Hefni, who is also the Head of the Department of Aquatic Resources Management (MSP), Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) IPB University, outlined a number of concrete efforts that can be made in order to increase points in participation in Proper.

“For example, when we maintain the sustainability of biodiversity, it will indirectly also improve the health of humans whose livelihoods depend on biodiversity, and also have consequences for health and economic sustainability,” he explained.

According to Prof. Hefni, as a globally oriented corporation that is committed to maintaining the quality of the environment around the Mining Work Area (WKP), PHE ONWJ certainly has a great interest in carrying out environmental safeguards.

However, he emphasized that the ultimate goal of environmental management is not merely to fulfill obligations, but far exceeds these interests, namely more than just compliance.

“Therefore, PHE ONWJ applies a number of managements that are not only obligatory in this country, but also implement voluntary environmental management instruments. PHE ONWJ’s participation in Proper represents this concern,” he said.

At the workshop, Prof. Hefni explained several steps in environmental management. In the context of preserving habitat and conserving biodiversity that includes macroscopic and microscopic organisms, these steps include: 1) Protecting and expanding protected areas, 2) Sustainable land use practices, 3) Wildlife and invasive animal conservation programs.

In addition, the next environmental management steps are 4) Sustainable fishing practices, 5) Increasing public awareness of conservation, 6) Collaboration with the government, NGOs, and community groups, 7) Financial incentives for investors, etc.

“Biodiversity management efforts are carried out on the in-situ and ex-situ spectrum by involving various stakeholders such as business actors, government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community groups, and academics known as pentahelix,” he said. Prof. Hefni also highlighted the use of current technology applications such as IoT (Internet of Things) in environmental management.

For him, PHE ONWJ has made many breakthroughs in environmental management, such as the mangrove rehabilitation program on the north coast of Java and coral reef transplantation. Both programs have shown results. However, the success story has not been well publicized to the public. Therefore, Prof. Hefni emphasized that campaign and education efforts need to be maximized.

“Simple things in the short term such as making leaflets, videography, concise pocket books, popular scientific information via social media about biodiversity management in particular and environmental management in a broad sense that have been routinely carried out by PHE ONWJ in collaboration with IPB University, need to continue to be encouraged,” he suggested.