Denpasar – Bali, long celebrated for its cultural magnetism and natural beauty, is facing the daunting challenge of reconciling its booming tourism with environmental sustainability. Marketed as a “Green Island” since 2018, the province is now under scrutiny as overtourism, fossil-based energy reliance, and waste management gaps threaten its ecological reputation.
Tourist arrivals continue to surge. In 2024, Bali welcomed 16.4 million visitors — surpassing the island’s 4.5 million population. While the growth of tourism fuels economic momentum, it also intensifies energy demand, vehicle emissions, and waste generation. The latest Environmental Quality Index shows Bali falling short of Indonesia’s top ten regions, highlighting the need for immediate transformation.
Energy remains the most pressing concern. Bali operates eight power plants, of which only two are renewable-based: a solar installation in Kayubihi and a micro-hydro unit in Muara Panji. Renewables contribute less than 1% of energy supply, while daily coal consumption at Celukan Bawang’s plant exceeds 5,000 tons. Yet, solar studies by Udayana University and Greenpeace indicate Bali’s solar irradiance potential surpasses European benchmarks, signaling immense opportunities for large-scale solar adoption under Governor Regulation No. 45/2019 on clean energy.
Transportation is another critical sector. Bali’s 5.2 million motorized vehicles, predominantly motorcycles, account for 43% of the island’s emissions, well above the national average. Although electric vehicle adoption is growing — 8,000 units recorded in 2024 alongside a 285% increase in charging stations — the absence of mass transit options such as LRT or MRT undermines emission reduction targets. Plans for modern systems have stalled, leaving congestion and air pollution largely unresolved.
Public health trends intersect with sustainability challenges. High smoking prevalence, including alarming rates among youth, adds not only to health risks but also to pollution from cigarette waste, a form of hazardous material often discarded into rivers and beaches. Calls for smoke-free tourism policies are gaining traction as part of broader ecological management.
Waste management underscores a systemic gap. Bali generated 1.2 million tons of waste in 2024, with Denpasar contributing nearly one-third. Food and organic waste dominate, yet tourism-driven plastics and cigarette litter intensify the burden. Without integrated waste reduction and circular economy practices, costs remain prohibitive at roughly US$100 per ton, while environmental degradation accelerates.
The province’s greenhouse gas inventory is stark: 12,089.85 billion grams of CO2 equivalent emissions in 2022, with energy accounting for 68%, waste for 32%, and agriculture for 10%. According to the World Resources Institute, transport alone makes up 43% of Bali’s emissions footprint, underscoring an urgent need for systemic reform.
For Bali to live up to its “Green Island” designation, policymakers and communities must act decisively. Priorities include scaling renewable power generation, instituting mass rapid transit, restricting private vehicle dominance, and embedding circular economy principles in waste systems. Without these interventions, Bali risks undermining its global reputation as a sustainable tourism hub.
The path forward is clear: reducing emissions, diversifying energy, and embedding sustainability into every aspect of its economy. Only through decisive transformation can Bali preserve its unique allure while positioning itself as a genuine model for green tourism and sustainable development in Southeast Asia.
