As one example of the public spaces, schools become a place where people spend most of their time outside of their homes. At schools, children study and socialize, with the support of the teachers and education staff. This is where the future of the nation prepares themselves to face future challenges, from globalization to climate change.
In Jakarta, one of the ways to answer these challenges is to prepare public infrastructures using green building approach. This means all of the energy required to operate the building would come from renewable energy sources, thus minimizing produced carbon emissions up to zero.
Among Green Building Indonesia’s Greenship Net Zero certified green buildings, there are four public schools: 96 Public Senior High School in West Jakarta, Duren Sawit 14 Public Elementary School in East Jakarta, South Grogol 09 Public Elementary School, and Ragunan 08 and 09 Public Elementary School, both in South Jakarta. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan calls them Net Zero Public Schools, making them the first public schools in the country with the certification.
“Public schools in Jakarta have to be able to spark curiosity, become a medium of study and be the space to grow every potential. Net Zero Public Schools aim to walk even further, by teaching students to become agents of change and influence their surroundings on the importance of humankind to collaborate in tackling global climate crisis issues,” said Baswedan during the opening of the Net Zero Public Schools at Ragunan 08 and 09 Public Elementary School, last Wednesday (9/28).
Decarbonization, or the process of reducing carbon emissions to the lowest point possible, often associated with transportation. However, buildings have similarly massive contribution, from the building materials and process to the energy spent for day-to-day operations.
The United Nations noted that cities globally consume 60 to 80% of the world’s energy, and produce 75% of CO2 emission. According to International Energy Agency data in 2018, 36% of the energy consumption and nearly 40% of the emission come from buildings. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recorded on 2019 that the emissions from building operational activities had reached its highest level ever. Therefore, the development of green buildings become an important part to improve air quality in Jakarta.
On the other hand, schools are the most buildings owned by Jakarta Provincial Government. In 2021, there are 5,332 schools in Jakarta. The Net Zero Public School program is seen as an initial step of a comprehensive initiative for emission control in the capital. As a space for doing various activities, schools become a place for interactions among students, teachers, and parents. Properly designed school buildings are expected to support the learning process to be better and more fun.
In order to be categorized as a Net Zero Public School, there are a few basic terms to be met. Firstly, the natural ventilation for the most part of the air circulation. Secondly, the pleasant temperature and humidity levels for human thermal comfort. Thirdly, the natural light for optimum visual comfort. Low and efficient use of energy is also crucial to contribute in neutralizing carbon emissions.
At the first four Net Zero Public Schools in Jakarta, these terms are met in different ways, from having cross ventilations that minimize the need to use air conditioners to the installation of solar panels on the buildings’ roof.
The development of the Net Zero Public Schools in Jakarta is a collaboration with prominent architecture firms in the country, with the buildings’ location and neighborhood locations in mind.
For 96 Public Senior High School, which is located in a flood-prone area, Andramatin architecture firm built a central yard for rainwater catchment area, as well as raised the building mass to anticipate for floods. At South Grogol 09 Public Elementary School, which is nestled in a packed residential area with little vegetation, D-Associates Architect designed the roof level for urban farming space to reduce heat exposure and extra room for students’ activities. Meanwhile, Djuhara+Djuhara, who built Ragunan 08 and 09 Public Elementary School and Duren Sawit 14 Public Elementary School, adjusted the buildings’ mass and size of schoolyard according to existing trees in the areas.
The benefits for having green school buildings are immediately felt. With improving air quality in the schools, the risk of spreading harmful viruses and particles indoors could be minimized. The natural light and ventilation improve visual and thermal comfort, thus creating conducive teaching and learning atmosphere for teachers and students alike. Same thing goes with energy saving, due to the less need for electric lamps and air conditioners.
“The previous buildings spent IDR 5 to 6 million for electricity in a month, but after [becoming a Net Zero Public School] the spending dropped to IDR 1.5 million,” said Head of West Jakarta II Education Department, Junaedi, as reported by Antara on Friday (9/30).
Baswedan also hoped that Net Zero Public Schools could produce future generations who care about the earth’s future.
“Net Zero Public Schools train Jakarta’s young generations to become earth inhabitants with awareness on their environment, who take care of the environment responsibly, and make sure that their generation would leave a better earth for their descendants,” he concluded.
Photo by DKI Jakarta Education Agency.
In Jakarta, one of the ways to answer these challenges is to prepare public infrastructures using green building approach. This means all of the energy required to operate the building would come from renewable energy sources, thus minimizing produced carbon emissions up to zero.
Among Green Building Indonesia’s Greenship Net Zero certified green buildings, there are four public schools: 96 Public Senior High School in West Jakarta, Duren Sawit 14 Public Elementary School in East Jakarta, South Grogol 09 Public Elementary School, and Ragunan 08 and 09 Public Elementary School, both in South Jakarta. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan calls them Net Zero Public Schools, making them the first public schools in the country with the certification.
“Public schools in Jakarta have to be able to spark curiosity, become a medium of study and be the space to grow every potential. Net Zero Public Schools aim to walk even further, by teaching students to become agents of change and influence their surroundings on the importance of humankind to collaborate in tackling global climate crisis issues,” said Baswedan during the opening of the Net Zero Public Schools at Ragunan 08 and 09 Public Elementary School, last Wednesday (9/28).
Decarbonization, or the process of reducing carbon emissions to the lowest point possible, often associated with transportation. However, buildings have similarly massive contribution, from the building materials and process to the energy spent for day-to-day operations.
The United Nations noted that cities globally consume 60 to 80% of the world’s energy, and produce 75% of CO2 emission. According to International Energy Agency data in 2018, 36% of the energy consumption and nearly 40% of the emission come from buildings. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recorded on 2019 that the emissions from building operational activities had reached its highest level ever. Therefore, the development of green buildings become an important part to improve air quality in Jakarta.
On the other hand, schools are the most buildings owned by Jakarta Provincial Government. In 2021, there are 5,332 schools in Jakarta. The Net Zero Public School program is seen as an initial step of a comprehensive initiative for emission control in the capital. As a space for doing various activities, schools become a place for interactions among students, teachers, and parents. Properly designed school buildings are expected to support the learning process to be better and more fun.
In order to be categorized as a Net Zero Public School, there are a few basic terms to be met. Firstly, the natural ventilation for the most part of the air circulation. Secondly, the pleasant temperature and humidity levels for human thermal comfort. Thirdly, the natural light for optimum visual comfort. Low and efficient use of energy is also crucial to contribute in neutralizing carbon emissions.
At the first four Net Zero Public Schools in Jakarta, these terms are met in different ways, from having cross ventilations that minimize the need to use air conditioners to the installation of solar panels on the buildings’ roof.
The development of the Net Zero Public Schools in Jakarta is a collaboration with prominent architecture firms in the country, with the buildings’ location and neighborhood locations in mind.
For 96 Public Senior High School, which is located in a flood-prone area, Andramatin architecture firm built a central yard for rainwater catchment area, as well as raised the building mass to anticipate for floods. At South Grogol 09 Public Elementary School, which is nestled in a packed residential area with little vegetation, D-Associates Architect designed the roof level for urban farming space to reduce heat exposure and extra room for students’ activities. Meanwhile, Djuhara+Djuhara, who built Ragunan 08 and 09 Public Elementary School and Duren Sawit 14 Public Elementary School, adjusted the buildings’ mass and size of schoolyard according to existing trees in the areas.
The benefits for having green school buildings are immediately felt. With improving air quality in the schools, the risk of spreading harmful viruses and particles indoors could be minimized. The natural light and ventilation improve visual and thermal comfort, thus creating conducive teaching and learning atmosphere for teachers and students alike. Same thing goes with energy saving, due to the less need for electric lamps and air conditioners.
“The previous buildings spent IDR 5 to 6 million for electricity in a month, but after [becoming a Net Zero Public School] the spending dropped to IDR 1.5 million,” said Head of West Jakarta II Education Department, Junaedi, as reported by Antara on Friday (9/30).
Baswedan also hoped that Net Zero Public Schools could produce future generations who care about the earth’s future.
“Net Zero Public Schools train Jakarta’s young generations to become earth inhabitants with awareness on their environment, who take care of the environment responsibly, and make sure that their generation would leave a better earth for their descendants,” he concluded.
Photo by DKI Jakarta Education Agency.
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