Indonesia's program for pollution   control, evaluation, and rating (PROPER)

Torres, Magui Moreno; Kanungo, Parameeta;

Indonesia's program for pollution control, evaluation, and rating (PROPER)

Torres, Magui Moreno; Kanungo, Parameeta;

Indonesia's program for pollution control, evaluation, and rating (PROPER) is a national-level public environmental reporting initiative. The objective of this novel regulatory tool is to promote industrial compliance with pollution control regulations, to facilitate and enforce the adoption of practices contributing to 'clean technology,' and to ensure a better environmental management system. This program is built on the premise that the mechanisms of public disclosure and accountability, transparency in operations, and community participation will empower local communities to achieve effective and sustained pollution control practices. The program uses a color-coded rating, ranging from gold for excellent performance to black for poor performance, as well as 'reputational incentives.' PROPER has had a significant effect in shifting factories from noncompliance to compliance. Over two years (June 1995-March 1997), the compliance level of the pilot program factories, selected from the three river basins, increased from 35 percent to 51 percent. PROPER has also contributed to voluntary participation by factories in conducting compliance ratings and has increased awareness regarding environmental issues. Additionally, PROPER helped promote an integrated control system of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), local community groups, the Government of Indonesia's Environmental Impact Management Agency (BAPEDAL), and the media. Finally, PROPER exerted pressure on BAPEDAL to improve its rating methodology and refine its process to ensure that its ratings are trustworthy for initiating action against noncompliance.

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