•  
  •  
 

Abstract

Background: Climate change is not only a global challenge but also a strategic issue of development in Indonesia. The Medan City Government has implemented various mitigation and adaptation efforts, yet it continues to produce greenhouse gas emissions and is exposed to climate change impacts. A transformative approach in mitigation and adaptation is needed to enable systemic change to comprehensively address climate change from its root causes.

Aims: This paper aims to elaborate on the extent to which mitigation and adaptation policies in Medan City can fulfill the principles of transformative climate actions.

Methods: Data collection for climate profiles and mitigation and adaptation actions was carried out through document reviews and FGD, which were then analyzed using content analysis and scoring. The criteria used are the principles of transformative climate actions, which include people-centric, addressing inequalities, behavioral and lifestyle changes, ecosystem quality, and platform for communities, institutions, and new economies.

Results: The priority sectors for mitigation are transportation, waste, and education, while for adaptation are tourism, environment, communications, education, and disaster management. These sectors are relevant to the largest emitters and most significant climate hazards in Medan City, and have also incorporated transformative principles. However, some barriers are found in its implementation and sustainability.

Conclusion: Transformative climate action is needed to enable a shift to a more sustainable system, and it requires policy instruments to ensure the operationalization and sustainability, as well as comprehensive intersectoral synergy.

Bahasa Abstract

Latar Belakang: Perubahan iklim tidak hanya menjadi tantangan global, tetapi juga menjadi isu strategis nasional dalam pembangunan di Indonesia. Pemerintah Kota Medan telah melakukan berbagai upaya mitigasi dan adaptasi, tetapi secara berkesinambungan tetap menghasilkan emisi gas rumah kaca dan terpapar dampak perubahan iklim. Diperlukan aksi mitigasi dan adaptasi dengan pendekatan transformatif untuk memungkinkan adanya perubahan secara sistemik untuk mengatasi permasalahan perubahan iklim secara menyeluruh dari akar penyebabnya.

Tujuan: Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk mengelaborasi sejauh mana kebijakan mitigasi dan adaptasi di Kota Medan dapat memenuhi prinsip-prinsip penanganan perubahan iklim yang transformatif.

Metode: Pengumpulan data profil iklim serta aksi mitigasi dan adaptasi dilakukan melalui telaah dokumen dan FGD, yang selanjutnya dianalisis menggunakan teknik content analysis dan skoring. Kriteria yang digunakan adalah prinsip penanganan perubahan iklim transformatif, yang mencakup prinsip people-centric, mengatasi kesenjangan, mendorong perubahan perilaku dan gaya hidup, menjaga kualitas ekosistem, serta menjadi wadah kolaboratif komunitas, institusi, dan ekonomi baru.

Hasil: Sektor prioritas mitigasi adalah transportasi, limbah, dan pendidikan, sedangkan untuk adaptasi adalah sektor pariwisata, lingkungan hidup, komunikasi, pendidikan, dan kebencanaan. Sektor-sektor ini relevan dengan penghasil emisi terbesar dan bahaya bencana iklim yang paling signifikan di Kota Medan, dan telah mengakomodasikan prinsip transformatif. Namun, terdapat hambatan dalam implementasi dan keberlanjutan.

Kesimpulan: Penanganan perubahan iklim yang transformatif dibutuhkan untuk memungkinkan adanya perubahan menuju sistem yang berkelanjutan, dan perlu dilengkapi dengan instrumen kebijakan untuk memastikan operasionalisasi dan keberlanjutannya, serta perlu sinergi antar sektor yang komprehensif.

References

Barakat, M. M., & Aboulnaga, M. M. (2023). Urban Resilience and Climate Change: Risks and Impacts Linked to Human Behaviours in the Age of COVID-19 BT  - Mediterranean Architecture and the Green-Digital Transition: Selected Papers from the World Renewable Energy Congress Med Green Forum 2022 (A. Sayigh (ed.); pp. 691–710). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-33148-0_55

Blackwood, L., Renaud, F. G., & Gillespie, S. (2022). Nature-based solutions as climate change adaptation measures for rail infrastructure. Nature-Based Solutions, 2, 100013. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbsj.2022.100013

Chodijah, S. (2018). Strategi Komunikasi Penyampaikan Informasi Iklim Stasiun Klimatologi Sampali Medan Dalam Upaya Meminimalkan Kegagalan Panen Padi Sawah Akibat Iklim Ekstrim. Persepsi: Communication Journal, 1(1).

Chu, E., Brown, A., Michael, K., Du, J., Lwasa, S., & Mahendra, A. (2019). Unlocking the potential for transformative climate adaptation in cities. Background Paper Prepared for the Global Commission on Adaptation, Washington DC and Rotterdam.

Daulay, A. P., Al’fatah, A. E., & Silalahi, H. T. (2025). Analisis Potensi Hutan Mangrove Sebagai Ekowisata Berkelanjutan Untuk Peningkatan Ekonomi Masyarakat Pesisir Desa Nelayan Seberang, Medan Belawan. Jurnal Kelautan: Indonesian Journal of Marine Science and Technology, 18(3), 238–247.

David Tàbara, J., Jäger, J., Mangalagiu, D., & Grasso, M. (2019). Defining transformative climate science to address high-end climate change. Regional Environmental Change, 19(3), 807–818. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-018-1288-8

England, M. I., Dougill, A. J., Stringer, L. C., Vincent, K. E., Pardoe, J., Kalaba, F. K., Mkwambisi, D. D., Namaganda, E., & Afionis, S. (2018). Climate change adaptation and cross-sectoral policy coherence in southern Africa. Regional Environmental Change, 18(7), 2059–2071. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-018-1283-0

Filho, W. L., Wolf, F., Moncada, S., Salvia, A. L., Balogun, A.-L. B., Skanavis, C., Kounani, A., & Nunn, P. D. (2022). Transformative adaptation as a sustainable response to climate change: Insights from large-scale case studies. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 27(3), 20.

Floater, G., Heeckt, C., Ulterino, M., Mackie, L., Rode, P., Bhardwaj, A., Carvalho, M., Gill, D., Bailey, T., & Huxley, R. (2016). Co-benefits of urban climate action: A framework for cities.

Gusheva, E., Gjorgievski, V., Grncarovska, T. O., & Markovska, N. (2022). How do waste climate policies contribute to sustainable development? A case study of North Macedonia. Journal of Cleaner Production, 354, 131572. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131572

Handayani, W. (2021). Urgensi dan Relevansi Perencanaan Kota yang memiliki Ketahanan Iklim. In W. Handayani, R. Setiadi, R. Suryandaru, & T. D. Insani (Eds.), Ketahanan Iklim Perkotaan: Konsep, Praktik, Instrumen, dan Tata Kelola. Yayasan Inisiatif Perubahan Iklim dan Lingkungan Perkotaan.

Handayani, W., & Putri, I. H. S. (2021). Ketahanan Kota: Diskursus dan Relevansinya dalam Perspektif Perubahan Iklim. In W. Handayani, R. Setiadi, R. Suryandaru, & T. D. Insani (Eds.), Ketahanan Iklim Perkotaan: Konsep, Praktik, Instrumen, dan Tata Kelola. Yayasan Inisiatif Perubahan Iklim dan Lingkungan Perkotaan.

Handayani, W., Rudiarto, I., Insani, T. D., Fitri, U. M., & Dewi, R. S. (2023). Ketahanan Iklim Berbasis Masyarakat: Konsep dan Implementasi. Yayasan Inisiatif Perubahan Iklim dan Lingkungan Perkotaan.

Has, D. H., Marpaung, S. S. M., & Sari, R. (2024). Socialization about character education that cares for the environment among students at Hosana Private High School, Medan: Sosialisasi Tentang Pendidikan Karakter Peduli Terhadap Lingkungan pada Siswa SMA Swasta Hosana, Medan. Dinamisia: Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, 8(1), 199–207.

Hurlimann, A., Moosavi, S., & Browne, G. R. (2021). Urban planning policy must do more to integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation actions. Land Use Policy, 101, 105188.

Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) Indonesia. (2023). Peningkatan Aksesibilitas Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) di Kota Medan. https://itdp-indonesia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/A4-10-copy-Soft-Cover-AC230-Isi-.pdf

Jensen, A., Nielsen, H. Ø., & Russel, D. (2020). Climate Policy in a Fragmented World—Transformative Governance Interactions at Multiple Levels. Sustainability, 12(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/su122310017

Jing, Q.-L., Liu, H.-Z., Yu, W.-Q., & He, X. (2022). The Impact of Public Transportation on Carbon Emissions—From the Perspective of Energy Consumption. Sustainability, 14(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106248

Kyriakopoulos, G. L., & Sebos, I. (2023). Enhancing Climate Neutrality and Resilience through Coordinated Climate Action: Review of the Synergies between Mitigation and Adaptation Actions. Climate, 11(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/cli11050105

Lotz-Sisitka, H., Ali, M. B., Mphepo, G., Chaves, M., Macintyre, T., Pesanayi, T., Wals, A., Mukute, M., Kronlid, D., Tran, D. T., Joon, D., & McGarry, D. (2016). Co-designing research on transgressive learning in times of climate change. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 20, 50–55. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2016.04.004

Moniaga, F., hidayati, F., Fhitri, W., Dewi, S., Yuliana, A., Yulianti, N. L. P. N., Susanto, D. A., Yanto, N., misnawati, D., Choerudin, A., & others. (2024). Pengantar Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. CV. Gita Lentera. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=nMEXEQAAQBAJ

Muessel, J., Pietzcker, R., Hoppe, J., Verpoort, P., Klein, D., & Luderer, G. (2025). An integrated modeling perspective on climate change mitigation and co-benefits in the transport sector. Environmental Research Letters, 20(9), 94011. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/adf23f

Muhaimin, M. F. (2025). Kesiapsiagaan Masyarakat Dalam Menghadapi Bencana Banjir: Studi Pemahaman, Sikap, dan Perilaku Tanggap Darurat Masyarakat Kota Medan. JURNAL RISET ILMU KOMUNIKASI DAN MEDIA, 2(2), 110–119.

Ningsih, W., Hardinata, A., Nazliah, R., & Azhari, M. (2026). Scientific Literacy and Climate Change Perceptions among Junior High School Students in Medan: Insights from the PISA Framework. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 12(1), 233–243.

Panjaitan, B. R., Ningrum, E., Waluya, B., Sugandi, D., & Safriani, E. W. (2023). Peran dan strategi Komunitas Earth Hour Medan dalam mendorong praktik hidup berkelanjutan di Indonesia. Jurnal Surya Masyarakat, 6(1), 117–125.

Pulungan, M. A. (2022). Prediksi Kenaikan Muka Air Laut dan Genangan Rob di Kecamatan Medan Belawan. Universitas Sumatera Utara.

Rangkuti, F. S., Badaruddin, B., Siregar, R. T., & others. (2022). Evaluasi Implementasi Program Sekolah Adiwiyata di Sekolah Dasar Swasta Nurcahaya Kota Medan. Perspektif, 11(4), 1529–1538.

Restu, R., Harefa, M. S., Duha, A., Sinabutar, A. V., Nainggolan, E., Manalu, F. V., & Fortunata, L. A. (2024). Analisis Kondisi Ekowisata Mangrove Belawan Sicanang di Kecamatan Medan Belawan, Kota Medan. JURNAL WILAYAH, KOTA DAN LINGKUNGAN BERKELANJUTAN, 3(1), 120–129.

Sihaloho, U. O., & Rusliadi, R. (2025). Collaborative governance in plastic waste recycling in Medan City: Integrating informal sector, community participation, and policy. Kolaborasi: Jurnal Administrasi Publik, 11(1), 26–37.

Simon, K., Diprose, G., & Thomas, A. C. (2020). Community-led initiatives for climate adaptation and mitigation. K{\=o}tuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, 15(1), 93–105.

Ulibarri, N., Ajibade, I., Galappaththi, E. K., Joe, E. T., Lesnikowski, A., Mach, K. J., Musah-Surugu, J. I., Nagle Alverio, G., Segnon, A. C., Siders, A. R., & others. (2022). A global assessment of policy tools to support climate adaptation. Climate Policy, 22(1), 77–96.

Walawalkar, T. P., Hermans, L. M., & Evers, J. (2023). Evaluating behavioural changes for climate adaptation planning. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 66(7), 1453–1471.

Widodasih, W. K., Rochayata, K. S. B., & Kurniadi, N. T. (2023). Penanaman Mangrove sebagai Upaya Pencegahan Abrasi di Pesisir Pantai Bahagia Cabang Bungin Muara Gembong. Jurnal Lentera Pengabdian, 1(01). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.59422/lp.v1i01.12

Williamson, K., Satre-Meloy, A., Velasco, K., & Green, K. (2018). Climate change needs behavior change: Making the case for behavioral solutions to reduce global warming. Rare: Arlington, VA, USA.

Download

Share

COinS