Green Bali – Bali.com https://bali.com Bali Travel Guide - Reliable & Helpful Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:34:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://bali.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cropped-bali-favicon-512x512-bg-white-32x32.png Green Bali – Bali.com https://bali.com 32 32 Bali’s Plastic Problem https://bali.com/sustainable-traveler/bali-plastic-problem/ Sat, 24 Sep 2022 04:23:54 +0000 https://bali.com/?page_id=24971

The world is drowning in Plastic

It’s not difficult to notice how much of a detrimental effect plastic waste has on the environment. One million plastic bottles are bought every minute, according to the UN. Currently, the world produces 400 million tonnes of plastic garbage and use up to five trillion plastic bags annually. Due to their accessibility and practicality, disposable plastics such as straws, cups, bottles, and other products are widely utilized in Indonesian daily life and often end up in rivers and oceans. Four of Indonesia’s rivers are among the top 20 most polluted rivers in the world due to poor plastic waste management. In terms of its contribution to marine plastic pollution, Indonesia is currently only second to China.

Unfortunately, this is not unique to Bali or an issue that only affects Indonesia; other developing nations are still far behind in putting effective waste and recycling solutions into practice. Even with a “recycling system” in place, first-world nations like the US are still the world’s largest producers of plastic waste — the US alone produced about 42 million metric tons in 2016. (read full article**). As a result, the world’s ocean in particular has evolved into a dump for countries with coastlines.

Trash Problem in Bali

Industrialized nations might be able to ignore the issue because of recycling facilities, where a working waste management system keeps the issue out of sight. However, Bali is a relatively small island in the developing nation of Indonesia, has a local population of over four million, with over five million foreign tourists and eight million domestic visitors annually. It becomes a very visible issue when mass tourism contributes to the waste, given the 13+ million visitors combined that Bali receives from other islands and the rest of the world. After spending even just a short time in Bali, it’s difficult to miss all the rubbish found on the streets, river banks, and rice fields, even if certain areas are still very clean and well managed.

In the last 10 years, there has been a significant rise in the amount of plastic that keeps washing up ashore. The beaches in Kuta and Legian, arguably two of Bali’s most popular tourist spots, get up to 60 tonnes of plastic trash each year. Authorities are struggling to keep up with the deluge of rubbish that appear on the beaches of Bali, and many other beaches in the Indonesian archipelago that are experiencing a similar fate. Though the tourist ministry continues to fund periodic beach cleanings, the frequency of how much plastic washes up on the beaches gives a clear idea of how much trash must be in the ocean.

Even worse, this is now an annual occurrence as a result of monsoons and more significantly, inefficient waste management that has led to a disaster of worldwide marine pollution. After heavy rains in regions such as Indonesia that experiences a tropical climate, the rubbish eventually finds its way into the sea through landfills and, in more rural areas, rivers.

It becomes almost impossible to dispose of plastic waste or any other kind of trash ethically especially when dumps and landfills begin to overflow; most villagers see burning trash in their backyard as the only alternative option, which then contributes to the environmental issue of air pollution as well. There is a widespread lack of awareness regarding waste management, which frankly spans across all of Indonesia, that most NGOs and eco-warriors focus on educating the general public on what they can do to help clean or prevent more waste.

Bali needs you, and you can join beach clean ups and support many of the amazing NGOs and green initiatives

What the Government has been doing about plastic waste management

The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism is putting a lot of effort into setting up and supporting projects in Bali to transition to a more sustainable and “greener tourism,” as well as to recognize and encourage company owners to accept responsibility. The governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, issued a ban on single-use plastic in December 2018 with a six-month implementation window to give businesses time to prepare. Straws, plastic bags, and the iconic Styrofoam were all banned when the rule was ultimately put into place. However, when the pandemic hit, everything naturally came apart as single-use plastics were once again ingested by people for reasons of hygiene, safety, and health. Since the pandemic’s height has thankfully passed, environmental concerns have become a forefront priority for the Indonesian government and that includes the ban of single-use plastics by the end of 2022.

10 easy things you can do to support a greener Bali. Your choices will have an impact. No matter what!

]]> Electric Vehicles & Scooters in Bali https://bali.com/sustainable-traveler/electric-scooters-in-bali/ Thu, 22 Sep 2022 13:43:54 +0000 https://bali.com/?page_id=25161

In Indonesia the majority of people commute everyday in automobiles and many many motorcycles

The country has one of the largest motorcycle markets in the world. The government anticipates that Jakarta and Bali will serve as prototype EV cities, with many companies such as Grab & GoJek (GoTo) launching a fleet of electric vehicles in Indonesia in support of this initiative.
According to the Indonesian Ministry of Industry’s website, the country plans to have 400,000 electric vehicles on the road in 2025 and 5.7 million by 2035. A Presidential Decree outlining the steps the government intends to take to promote and hasten the implementation of battery electric vehicle initiatives in Indonesia was furthermore announced. 

Rent an e-Scooter

Why the change to electric scooters? Fun, Quiet, Efficient

Motorcycles have long been a favored mode of transport for anyone visiting or living in Indonesia, especially Bali. Riding a scooter allows simpler access to get to your destination, and have an easier time navigating through traffic than cars. However, motorized scooters and motor cycles are typically noisy and not especially environmentally friendly.

Unfortunately the number of loud motor cycles is rising, for some reasons, some tourists and foreign residents find it appropriate to drive loud scooters, that would never be allowed in their home country. This creates a lot of noise pollution, particularly in Canggu and Uluwatu it became a trend. 

Please, for the sake of Bali and a better Bali experience for everyone:
DON’T RENT LOUD SCOOTERS AND MOTORBIKES!

Rent an Electric Scooter in Bali

Fortunately, a number of hotels and motorbike rental companies in Bali have begun to provide high-quality electric scooters that are both a lot of fun to ride and make a significant environmental impact. And no noise pollution.

There are several types and methods available, such as the well-known NIU scooter, whose battery must be taken with you and charged for 3-5 hours at a standard outlet. More advanced and much faster to get back on the road are the SMOOT Scooters that use a battery swap system, where you can simply change the battery in dedicated convenient stores and at their place.

Rent an e-Scooter
]]> Animal Protection & Welfare in Bali https://bali.com/sustainable-traveler/animal-protection-welfare-in-bali/ Thu, 22 Sep 2022 04:11:14 +0000 https://bali.com/?page_id=24972

Animal Welfare & Animal Entertainment — Two Things That Rarely Coexist

In a nutshell — There is no real animal welfare in animal entertainment

Read the latest report by the animal welfare organization World Animal Protection, focusing on Bali and Lombok. In response to their findings, we have decided not to list or promote any animal entertainment venues or experiences on Bali.com.

world animal protection
animal welfare elephants bali

Bali.com will not promote or feature animal entertainment businesses in Bali, based on the findings of World Animal Protection

Entertainment with Animals in Bali — A Life Without Welfare

Keeping animals — especially wild ones — without causing them harm is extremely difficult. As highlighted by the World Animal Protection report, running an animal-based entertainment business makes this challenge even greater. While some establishments may be better than others, it’s nearly impossible for visitors to know what happens behind the scenes. That’s why listening to expert voices is so important.

orang utan bali

We do NOT support:

  • Dolphin encounters, including boat-based tours (e.g. Lovina Bay)
  • Elephant rides
  • Photo/selfie sessions with animals
  • Touching manta rays, whale sharks, or mola mola during dives
  • Kopi Luwak farms where civets are caged and force-fed
  • “Turtle Island” and most turtle “rescue sanctuaries”
  • Wild animals kept in cages for display
  • Horse riding (some stables are ethical, most are not)
  • Dancing monkey shows
  • Big game & sport fishing, spear fishing
photos with animals against animal welfare

Photos with Animals

In rural parts of Bali, you’ll still find places offering photos with wild animals. The animals are often kept in poor conditions, dragged into harsh light, and forced to pose with tourists. This causes lasting trauma and stress.

Sadly, This Is Nothing Unusual

Bali is not unique in this — animal exploitation for entertainment and profit exists worldwide. Zoos, circuses, and animal parks are often part of the problem, even in highly developed countries. In Bali, wild birds are still caught and caged, animal markets continue to sell mistreated animals, and many creatures are taken from the wild with little regulation or care.

animal welfare bali bird caged

You Have a Choice

As a visitor to Bali, you have the power to choose what you support. Businesses without customers will either change or close. In response to the World Animal Protection report, we have decided not to list animal entertainment businesses on Bali.com. We understand some may have good intentions, but we’re not experts — and we can’t verify what goes on behind closed doors.

Some practices, however, are clearly unacceptable: Dolphins cannot be ethically kept in captivity. Petting big cats is inherently harmful. Dancing monkeys endure constant suffering. And no Orangutan truly wants to eat breakfast with tourists. Riding elephants has also been widely condemned.

This isn’t about policing anyone. It’s a personal decision by the team behind Bali.com. Every traveler must decide for themselves. But if you wouldn’t treat your dog or cat at home that way — maybe it’s worth reconsidering.

Helping Cats & Dogs in Bali

Some insights into the famous Bali Dog, and how you can help stray dogs and cats in Bali

Explore
]]> Green Bali – 10 Easy Choices & Tips for Sustainable Traveling https://bali.com/sustainable-traveler/10-easy-choices-sustainable-travelling/ Thu, 22 Sep 2022 03:44:12 +0000 https://bali.com/?page_id=25100

Bali’s Challenges on the Road Ahead

Bali has grown in the last two decades at a very fast pace, not only due to the growing tourism sector, although it plays a major role. The island’s population is above four millions, and it grew by 80.000 every year before the pandemic. These new residents need housing, water, food, transport and of course, jobs. Many young Indonesians from neighbouring islands come here to find a better life than what the future holds for them back home in their rural villages.

Since land prices have skyrocketed in the main touristic areas, investors move towards more remote areas contributing to the economy and creating jobs. In the last couple of years, many new restaurants, villa projects and hotels have opened their doors. Of course, all this outs pressure on the fragile eco-system of this beautiful island.

What Can We Do?

At the end, a traveller is a consumer, and can take responsible “green” choices to reduce the “footprint”. Consumers can decide where and how to spend, where and what to eat, where to stay, what to buy – which businesses to value and support and which companies to avoid. There are a few easy things a traveler can keep in mind and follow when visiting Bali:

10 Easy Actions to Support Bali

Conserve Fresh Water. Even though there is a lot of rainfall in Bali, the water supply is still at threat – particularly during the dry season. Taking a short and quick shower has a direct positive impact.

Bring biodegradable cosmetics with you. The grey water and sewage water does very often reach the rivers and ultimately the sea. Biodegradable cosmetics might be a bit more expensive but you create an incredible positive impact right away.

It sounds logical – and it is. Switching off the Air-con and the lights is a great way to save eergy and therefore resources. And even though many hotels have the key-card system where only with a key-card the electricity is activated, many travelers simply leave the key in the slot and let the AC and appliances run.

Washing and dry-cleaning bedsheets and towels in hotels is a massive undertaking that puts a lot of pressure onto the eco-system. High Energy consumption for washing and drying, the release of bleach and detergents into the water system, and it takes a lot of water overall.
Most hotels implement a “Save the Earth” program, where guests can actively decide and control, when towels and bedlinen are washed. However, many guests simply forget which then forces the housekeeping to change the linen and towels anyway. Please follow the hotel’s “change the bedsheet & towel” directives.

The many souvenir shops lining the streets of Bali rarely have fixed prices for their products. Bargaining to get a fair price is part of the charm and can be fun. However, the economic pressure on these vendors, particularly after a 2 years shut-down of their businesses, is immense. So bargaining very hard can indeed lead to a very low price, sometimes even paying less, than what the vendor paid for. But still they agree to sell, just to get some much needed cash for the day.

One could assume that this is not necessary to mention anymore. However, some travellers seem to forget that leaving trash on the beach or empty beer bottles on the sidewalk, or snipping the cigarette bud literally anywhere should be a no-go. 

Travellers are enjoying the hospitality of a country where the law enforcement is less than at home and where therefore rules can easily be broken without facing any consequences. This circumstance seems to encourage mostly younger travellers to forget that this should be a behaviour of the past. 

An estimated 30 million plastic water bottles end up in the landfills in Bali every year.

Please bring your re-usable water bottle from home. If you don’t have one, they can easily be purchased in Bali. Refill from the larger water bottles if you must, bit often yu can find in hotels, guest houses or even restaurants the option to refill your bottle providing water dispensers. Great Impact!

Somehow it became fashionable to hire l(very) loud motorbikes which creates a lot of noise pollution that can so easily be avoided. Tourists and Residents in Seminyak, Canggu and other popular areas are heavily affected. Please rent a normal scooter or motor bike and keep some level of serenity for everyone.

Most of the trash in Bali ends up in landfills, recycling is still rarely happening. So anything you bring to Bali and don’t take back, will weigh on the environment. Particularly empty batteries for example.

Clothes and shoes you don’t need anymore but can still be used can be donated to people in need here in Bali. If you wish to leave something behind that is still in ok condition, you can ask the housekeepers if they can give it to someone in need. Most of them will be very happy to take it.

Many businesses in Bali take environmental concerns and responsible businesses practices seriously. Many stopped using plastic straws, pay fair wages and taxes, use organic products, separate and recycle trash, stopped using small plastic shampoo bottles, etc. Choosing those establishments over others, not only supports them and awards their efforts but also sends a message to the businesses that are less concerned that it is commercially beneficial to join the green movement.

You will know them when you see them for sure.

If you stay in hotels or restaurants where plastic straws are still used, or in hotels where environmental concerns are not taken seriously and for example the small shampoo bottles are still used, you can always leave a review and point these things out. This will definitely have an impact.

Likewise, if you are a guest and you witness positive environmental measures, it’s always nice to point these out in a review which makes the owners and managers aware, that their efforts are noticed and valued.

Your Impact

Where you spend your travel budget is a message business owners do understand. They can see it in their balance sheet, that implementing more green measures is ultimately a smart commercial decision, even though it will cost them to implement and invest in “operating green(er)

If consumers choose more consciously, then it is not even even necessary to convince business owners of a higher cause or argue a case for a better world.

We can decide to value and support businesses that

  • implement recycling efforts
  • install proper wastewater treatment
  • implement energy-saving efforts
  • stop using and distributing plastic bags, plastic straws
  • use more eco-friendly “to-go”-packaging
  • no plastic bag regulations
  • stop using plastic bottled amenities
  • install in solar equipment
  • pay fair salaries and obey labour regulations

 

Price Tag

All these efforts cost something for any business owner, and in a highly competitive business environment like Bali not all owners feel motivated to invest in “green”.

For the traveler it could mean to pay sometimes a bit more for a beer, a salad, or a shirt because running an environmentally friendly business is (still) more expensive than not caring where the garbage goes or obeying labour regulations.

Are you willing to contribute?

Bali needs to become greener if it wants to survive and not go down in glory. Naturally not everybody will be concerned about the future of Bali and the preservation of this beautiful island. There are enough residents and tourists who don’t care. Sometimes because of greed, sometimes because they still fight for survival, sometimes because of lack of knowledge and education.

But we do not need nor convince everybody. Scientists estimate that only 10-15% of a group in a business-driven environment need to change to have a big enough impact on the others to initiate systemic changes.

So let’s be part of this 15%. Let’s become part of the solution and not be part of the problem.

Electric Scooters

Explore

Animal Welfare

Explore

NGOs & Helping

Explore
]]> Sustainable & Green Bali Traveling https://bali.com/sustainable-traveler/ Tue, 20 Sep 2022 09:06:15 +0000 https://bali.com/?page_id=23634

Is it possible to be a sustainable traveler in Bali?

The correct answer is probably YES and NO. The moment we set foot into a plane we have somewhat stepped out of the idea of “green traveling” and the the ecological footprint of a long-haul flight alone, is substantial as everyone knows by now.

It is not realistic to expect people to stop traveling, or to hope the tourism industry will not develop further and expand. That goes for Bali but also for the rest of the world. 

But, there is still lots we can do when we travel, particularly when we travel to destinations like Bali, where a large part of nature (& culture) is still intact and at the same time also at risk. As a visitor to Bali there are 4 main topics where we can contribute, and take more “sustainable choices”.

  • protect environment & choose eco-friendly experiences and businesses
  • support culture & traditions
  • support local & small businesses
  • donate to or support local NGOs

Small choices can have a big impact particularly when many travelers join in. Are you ready to help us to keep Bali a bit more clean and green?

“Count me in, how can I become part of the solution?”

10 Easy Choices

Explore

Animal Welfare

Explore

NGOs & Helping

Explore

Electric Scooters

Explore

We always have a choice

When traveling through South East Asian countries, it can be quite overwhelming to notice the amount of environmental and social welfare challenges this region is still facing. Animal welfare is another pressing issue. Bali is no exception. Considering the amount of visitors Bali is welcoming every year, Bali could be much worse off and there are many people, business owners, and organizations who work very hard to keep Bali a tropical paradise.

Bali has no heavy industry, which is definitely a good thing. But this means also, that the tourism industry and the local population are the main trouble makers here. 4+mio residents, 6+mio visitors from abroad, and 11+mio domestic tourists come here every year – doing their thing. The drastic increase of pollution and insane traffic – mainly in the tourism centers in the south and Denpasar – are a real threat to Bali.

We have all heard that the consumer has “the power” for systems and markets to change. And this is true. Particularly for Bali, because tourism is such an important industry here. If tourism is a main contributor to the environmental problems, then tourism can also be a massive part of the solution. Has to!

If, the tourists and visitors would rise to the occasion, and change a few things in their way to consume and travel, Bali will remain a tropical paradise for the decades to come.

]]> Pet Owners – Adopting Dogs & Cats https://bali.com/sustainable-traveler/pets-in-bali/ Tue, 19 Apr 2022 00:55:02 +0000 https://bali.com/?page_id=18838

Helping and adapting cats or dogs in Bali

Many foreign residents in Bali decide to adopt a cat or a dog. One reason is th that there are many many stray animals in Bali that need help and a person to take care of them.

When you visit Bali as a tourist, you cannot miss the many dogs that are roaming the streets, particularly at night , particularly in the re residential areas and more rural areas.

Some of these stray animals do indeed suffer and are in bad conditions and therefore in the need of help. 

If you decide to help one of these poor animals as a tourist or even play with the idea if you are staying in Bali for a longer period then there are a few ways to do that yet we suggest to involve vets or one of the animal welfare organisations.

How to help or Adopt a Dog or a Cat in Bali

We suggest you get in touch with the organizations and vets we have listed below. Also, if you see a suffering animal on the street and you want to help, you can reach out to them and ask what to do. Although not everyone can adopt a dog, there are other options to help more dogs avoid cruelty, illness, and even culling, which does unfortunately still happen.

However, remember, just because you come across a dog that doesn’t have an owner doesn’t mean it’s a stray. In actuality, it’s estimated that the majority of the dogs wandering the streets of Bali aren’t actually homeless.

The Bali Dog – a Cultural Heritage

More about this special animal and its cultural and historical significance 

Adopting & Owning Pets: FAQ

Many Bali dogs are not sterilised or castrated. And even the dogs that are no stray but live among Balinese communities and families the Balinese owners let them go free and mate. 

Many adoption organizations have cats and dogs of varying ages ready to be taken home, all healthy and vaccinated, and some have been sterilized. If you are looking to stay in Indonesia long-term, please adopt as it is the best, safest, and legal practice to protect and save the rescued animals. Adoption is free, who wouldn’t want to adopt an animal from a rescue organization? However, first consider the costs of food and vet bills, although adding a member to your family helps save these adorable creatures.

If you aren’t looking to permanently settle here, many organizations offer a foster program that involves a shorter commitment if you do not reside in Bali full time. Just being able to provide them a home full of love, and lots of cuddles, even if its temporary, goes a very long way.

Some stray dogs belong to the neighbourhood or community so they are not for you to be saved or taken away. If you come across a stray dog (or cat) and If they are not aggressive, you probably can feed the dogs, which many residents do regularly.

However, if you encounter abandoned puppies who are not doing well, or if they are abandoned on a busy street, please take them to the nearest vet. If the dogs are sick or injured or have a severe skin disease, take note of their location and notify a veterinarian or one of the animal welfare organisations; if the dog is friendly enough to approach it, wrap it in a blanket and carry it to the vet clinic.

Some foundations are overcrowded and do not have adequate space anymore but they will give you good advise on what you can do.

Animal Protection and Adoption Organizations

Barc 4 Bali

BARC is a no-kill shelter providing vaccination, sterilization and other necessary medical assistance to all rescued animals. We operate a street sterilization program to help stop the relentless flow of unwanted puppies. Additionally we conduct education programs in the Balinese community.

Info

Villa Kitty

Villa Kitty was founded as a refuge for cats and kittens in 2009. Today, it is a busy, colourful and ordered village for the disadvantaged feline and canine residents of Bali. Vets work in a clean and safe surgery and clinic to assess and manage the wounded and damaged. 

Info

Bawa Bali

Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA) is a non-profit organisation based in Bali, Indonesia. BAWA directly relieves the suffering of animals by providing emergency response and rescue. A key focus is Bali’s Heritage Dog – the island’s genetically unique street dog.

Info

Bali Dog Association

Bali Dog Association is creating a hidden paradise for Dog lovers waiting to be discovered. As one of the largest dog sanctuary in Bali, we are home to 180 Dogs. With views of lush rice fields all around, a team of with the biggest heart to help in any way they can.

Info

Vets & Veterinarian Clinics

sunset vet kuta 1
Legian

Sunset Vet Kuta

Seminyak & Petitenget

Semer Vet Care

Canggu & Berawa

Bali Veterinary Pererenan

Seminyak & Petitenget

Central Vet

]]> ZIN Indonesia rides green with Swap Energi Indonesia and Smoot Smart Electric Motorcycle for a cleaner Bali. https://bali.com/bali-travel-guide/responsible-travelling/electric-scooter-rental-canggu-zin-launch-event/ Sat, 15 Jan 2022 01:00:46 +0000 https://bali.com/?p=15396

Jan 15th 2022

ZIN CANGGU & ZIN BERAWA – Swap Energi Indonesia battery swapping stations and official Electric Vehicle re-seller and rental centre

In line with the ZIN core philosophy of environmental and social responsibility, ZIN Indonesia has fully committed to support the National Bali Go Green program, which is stipulated specifically in Pergub no. 48 year 2019 and Pergub no. 45 year 2019, by launching the ZIN Rides Green campaign. This is a key initiative to promote and provide Smoot Smart Electric Motorcycles and the SWAP batteries in Bali and act as the official Electric Vehicle re seller and rental centre. This first step, which is in fact a giant leap for Bali, is part of ZIN’s broader campaign – ZIN goes GREEN to eventually become a carbon neutral company.

ZIN Canggu and ZIN Berawa have joined in partnership with Swap Energi Indonesia to provide Swap Battery Stations and as the official Electric Vehicle re seller and rental centre for clean and emission-free transportation in Bali.

What makes Swap Energi Indonesia so unique and so effective, is that instead of the long and sometimes frustrating waiting times needed to recharge an electric vehicle battery, Swap Energi Indonesia incorporates a quick battery swapping system for a fast and instant power recharge – 9 seconds only to easily swap the battery. Never need to wait.

With hundreds of swapping stations (SWAP Poin) available in Jakarta – Bali is next. Currently all Circle-K outlets at Bali will be equipped with SWAP Poin. To support this green movement, ZIN provides Swap Poin at their Canggu and Berawa hotels. To further their commitment, all new ZIN Hotels in the future will also provide SWAP Poin – including the forthcoming ZIN Ubud and new ZIN Canggu location.

Smoot Smart Electric Motorcycle adopts swappable batteries provided by Swap Energi Indonesia.

The SMOOT Smart Electric Motorcycle is a highly advanced electric motorcycle, with a hub 1.5kW of power and a top speed of 60-70km/h – who needs to go any faster than that on this island. The swappable battery has a capacity of 64V 22.5Ah, which equals to about 1.44kWh. With tubeless tyres, front and rear disk brakes and a cool contemporary look, this is a seamless integration of great design and function that allows for stylish and hassle free travel.
The Smoot Electric Motorcycle is also priced very affordable as it is a pay-as-you-go system and riders only pay for the distance travelled. The Smoot Motorcycles can be purchased at ZIN or other channels.
At the forefront of modern electric transport, SMOOT MOTOR is also connected with the SWAP app, which allows riders to locate a nearest SWAP station and use the Battery booking (a booking system that reserves a fully charged battery for 15 mins, ensuring that upon arrival at the Swap Poin, a battery is ready for instant change). With the SWAP app users can also top up or buy mileage with the cashless payment system, locate the electric motorcycle, view the distance travelled history, and engage the anti-theft system lock for maximum security.
Fully committed, ZIN is soon to be taking delivery on their very own first order of SMOOT MOTOR units. ZIN hotel offers guests Smoot Smart Electric motorcycle as a green travel option, which provides an affordable, easy and economical way to move around Bali. The vision is that in the short future all ZIN Hotels staff and guest transport is clean and electric, and indeed then every guest in every hotel in Bali.

With over 112 million motorcycles currently being used in Indonesia, ZIN is supporting this new energy efficient measure to l reduce pollution and improve air quality for the health benefit of all.
We kindly invite you to join together with us in protecting this beautiful island we are all part of, for a green, clean and sustainable Bali.

]]> Electric Transportation for Ubud, Kuta and Sanur https://bali.com/bali-travel-guide/responsible-travelling/green-bali-electric-transportation-ubud-kuta-sanur/ Sun, 25 Oct 2020 23:29:34 +0000 https://pub20.bali.com/?p=3125

26 October 2020

The provincial government of Bali continues to intensify efforts to create a greener Bali. INKA, a state-owned train manufacturing company (BUMN) and Bali Regional Company (Perusda) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Friday, 23 October 2020. The agreement signifies the development of an integrated electric-powered transportation system on the island of gods.

Director of PT Perusda Bali Province, I Nyoman Kami Artana, explained to the media that after the signing of the MoU, a feasibility study (FS) would be carried out first by PT Inka. “Everything will be outlined in the FS (feasibility study). Whether it will be an electric train, cable car, or what model, PT Inka will do the study first. This is only the signing of the MoU,” said Artana. It will take at least two years for this project to be executed.

Budi Noviantoro as the main director of PT INKA explained that the funding for this project came from foreign loans by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), a multilateral development finance institution based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The budget plan is around IDR 2.6 trillion and will be used for workshops, manufacturing of battery components and infrastructure.

The Head of the Operations Team for Indonesian Regional Hub at the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB), Omar Eddie Davis said that his party is very pleased to help with the financing of various environmentally-friendly transportation development programs worldwide. Omar believes this type of projects will be the solution for environmental sustainability on our planet. “We are very pleased to be able to help develop an environmentally friendly city in Bali – Indonesia, we also had worked together with Malaysia, Brunei, and Africa,” said Omar. 

Meanwhile, The Head of the Bali Provincial Transportation Agency, I Gde Wayan Samsi Gunarta, also has a similar opinion regarding the development of this project, he said that Bali needs an environmentally-friendly transportation to compensate the rampant growth of the tourism industry on the island.

In the future, this environmentally-friendly train project will operate between Denpasar to Sanur and Sanur to Kuta. For Denpasar-Sanur route (South Denpasar district), the route will be about 7 kilometres long; and for Sanur (South Denpasar district) -Kuta, the route is approximately 12 kilometres long. If the plan goes well, then Bali will integrate this public transportation with existed services. Previously, the Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, has officially launched Trans Metro Dewata on 7 September 2020. This public buses are operating in four regencies in Bali, Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar and Tabanan. But due to the pandemic situation, the user of these modern air-conditioned transportation are still very low, though it’s free of charge until December 2020.

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]]> Bali Soon to Have New Mega Underwater Gardens https://bali.com/bali-travel-guide/responsible-travelling/bali-coral-garden-reef-icrg/ Thu, 08 Oct 2020 22:16:00 +0000 https://pub20.bali.com/?p=3054

9 October 2020

In addition to Bali splendid underwater beauties in Northwest, Tulamben, Penida, Padang Bai and Benoa; other coral reef gardens will be built in five different regions of the island. Indonesian Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Edhy Prabowo has prepared several programs called Indonesia Coral Reef Garden (ICRG) to build and restore all the good potentials hidden under Bali waters. This program has been officially declared to the public virtually on Wednesday, 7 October 2020.

This coral reef garden will cost about 111.2 billion Rupiahs, covering 50 hectares of underwater landscape in Nusa Dua, Sanur, Serangan, Pandawa, and Buleleng. ICRG is currently the largest coral reef restoration project in Indonesia. It is a fully labour-intensive project, with a target of employment up to 11,000 people. The minister believes this program will revive the economic situation in Bali coastal villages that have been severely damaged by the coronavirus pandemic. In the future, this coral reef garden will not only function as an underwater tourist attraction but also for education and research purposes.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry will also be involved in this project. Specific permits will be required for removing coral seedlings from the pre-existed natural habitat (outside the conservation area) into new environments. Minister Edhy ensures that every single process will be carried out professionally by experts only. Various procedure of transplantation methods such as Mars Accelerated Coral Reef Restoration System (MARRS)/ Spider and Bioreeftek hexadome, fishdom, combined with the placement of several eco-friendly sculptures, to give an extra artistic touch on these beautiful coral garden that will soon be built. Each location will have a different mapping plan, considering the structure of coral transplantation, sea scaping, marine biotas and the themes that want to be highlighted on each spot.

“The ICRG project will involve many community organizations with professional competence in coral restoration. Also, those who have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, including tourism businesses such as hotels, dive operators, tour guides, MSEs and other coastal communities, “said Edhy Prabowo. Moreover, after the ICRG construction is completed, the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC – a state-owned enterprise that specializes in the development and management of integrated tourism complexes, such as Nusa Dua and The Mandalika in Lombok) will continue this wonderful program.

The Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, seems very happy with the plan. According to him, this is a revolutionary idea as he believes Bali has all the potentials. But still, there is no significant efforts specially made to develop this particular subject. “This is a potential that I have not considered, has never been managed properly with adequate policies, and has not been utilized to encourage economic growth for the Balinese people,” said Koster.

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]]> One Step Closer to Providing Clean Energy for Bali https://bali.com/bali-travel-guide/responsible-travelling/bali-clean-energy-plan-nature-friendly/ Thu, 01 Oct 2020 02:00:00 +0000 https://pub20.bali.com/?p=2792

1 October 2020

Good news, the governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster announced a new regional general energy policy and planning (RUED) at Denpasar on Monday, 28 September 2020. This regulation mainly intended to control the current energy management while gradually switching to cleaner and nature-friendly energy sources.

Today, Bali still depends on the supply from outside channel like Paiton-East Java for the extra of 340 MW, due to local energy plants from Buleleng, Jembrana and Denpasar only produce 921.2 MW; while the island needs at least 1,261.2 MW and could be more during high-season travel on July and December. If the authority doesn’t make a significant breakthrough soon, Bali certainly will suffer an energy crisis by 2021. To date, many people in secluded areas in Bali still struggling to get a decent electricity supply due to very limited sources and the minimum availability of electricity infrastructure as the geographical conditions of the island are mostly mountainous and coastal areas.

Bali provincial government is currently mapping the clean energy potential available in each region. Alternative energy, such as sunlight, rivers, waterfalls, wind, geothermal, bioenergy, ocean energy, and Hydrogen are available quite abundantly all over the island. However, it is quite a challenge for Bali to be able to provide the technology of clean electricity for the whole island independently. Therefore, the governor has mentioned if the program will take at least three decades, from 2020 to 2050. “With the implementation of Provincial Regulations No. 9/2020 concerning on regional general energy policy and planning (RUED), the Province of Bali has created some guidelines to develop and utilize energy in the regions in 2020-2050, to make Bali independently produce its own clean energy,”

Responding to this policy, environmental observer Dr I Made Sudarma, M.S, appreciate the decision that has been made by the local government. According to him, this could be a good start to preserve the environment and harmony in the island of gods. He also suggested the use of waste as an environmentally friendly alternative energy, but he also mentioned that this method is very costly. 

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