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REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Republika Editor-in-Chief Andi Muhyiddin insists that the climate crisis is no longer an abstract issue, but a reality that everyday people are already facing. In his speech at the ESG Now Awards 2025, he called disasters such as floods, droughts, dirty air, and coastal loss a “warning that our time is getting tight”.
“Sustainability is no longer a moral choice, but a common need so that we can continue to live on this earth,” Andi said, in Jakarta, Thursday (16/10/2025).
He stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration to address climate challenges. “The government cannot be alone. The business world cannot be alone. The media can't be alone either,” he said.
Through ESG Now, Republika seeks to be a bridge between the corporate world and society. According to Andi, ESG is not just an annual report or an industry target, but about people and communities feeling the real impact of climate change.
In this year, Republika presented a special category of Local Warriors, as a form of award for environmental fighters at the grassroots. “True sustainability is born from the field, from the village, from a sincere spirit,” Andi said.
He exemplifies the story of Ahmad Syahroni, a young man from the east coast of Java who took the initiative to plant mangroves with fishermen to restore the marine ecosystem and the livelihood of their families. To ensure the credibility of the assessment, Republika cooperates with Surveyor Indonesia as an enrichment partner. The assessment is carried out qualitatively and quantitatively, includes field research, data analysis, and independent verification.
“We want to make sure these awards are not based on popularity, but on real evidence,” he said.
Andi also highlighted various environmental initiatives launched by Republika, such as the Climate Run on September 28, which emphasized the importance of maintaining clean water. The movement continued with the formation of the Climate Warriors community, which involved young people and volunteers in river clean-up activities as well as environmental education in schools.
“We believe that the media now is not just writing change, but also being part of the change itself,” Andi said.
He closed his remarks with a call to make ESG not just jargon, but the way of life and moral commitment of the whole nation. “Every story of change starts from consciousness, and every awareness must be translated into action,” he said.
“Today is not just a tribute, but a reminder that we all have a role to look after the earth on which we stand,” he said.
This year, the ESG Now Awards 2025 takes a new approach by highlighting the role of local communities or local warriors in the success of ESG programs. Assessment no longer focuses solely on the company's strategy, but also the extent to which the program engages the community in the planning, execution, and sustainability of the program.
