### History and current status of air pollution problems in Bali (1990s-2020s)

### History and current status of air pollution problems in Bali (1990s-2020s)

#### 1990s: Development of tourism and manifestation of air pollution

In 1998, with the rapid development of tourism in Bali, traffic increased in major tourist areas such as Denpasar, Kuta, and Ubud, and emissions from cars and motorcycles became the main source of air pollution. This led to increased concentrations of suspended particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which raised concerns about the health effects on residents and tourists. The government considered the introduction of emission standards and measures to reduce traffic, but failed to implement specific measures in view of the impact on the tourism industry.

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#### 2010s: Strengthening Environmental Measures and Challenges

The 2010s saw increased efforts to address Bali's air pollution problems, including tighter emission controls for the growing number of motorcycles in 2012 and the introduction of low-emission fuels and technologies. Regional cooperation was also called for as haze from forest and peatland fires contributed to high concentrations of suspended particulate matter and cross-border pollution to Singapore and Malaysia. However, new challenges emerged, such as increased traffic due to further development of tourism and a lack of waste disposal systems.

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#### 2020s: promoting sustainable tourism and environmental protection

Air pollution in Bali remains a challenge in the 2020s. Especially in urban areas such as Denpasar, Kuta, and Seminyak, emissions from transportation, industrial activities, and forest fires are the main sources of pollution, and harmful substances such as PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO) are detected.

In April 2020, the Indonesian government announced a plan to significantly reduce plastic litter, with specific goals to reduce marine plastic litter by 70% by 2025 and zero plastic pollution by 2040. In addition, an initiative to ban the use of plastic bags and containers in the city of Denpasar has been in place since January 2019.

In addition, the environmental group Sungai Watch has been active since 2020, installing barriers to keep trash from spilling into the river. The organization reports that as of May 2024, it has prevented more than 1.7 million kilograms of trash from flowing out to sea.

However, increased traffic associated with the growth of tourism and the lack of adequate waste disposal systems remain a problem. Further measures are needed to promote sustainable tourism, introduce renewable energy, and improve public transportation systems.

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### Historical Assessment and Future Challenges

Although Bali has made gradual progress in addressing air pollution since the 1990s, striking a balance between tourism development and environmental protection remains a challenge. Lessons learned from the past must be applied to pursue sustainable solutions through international cooperation and technological innovation.