Fadhil Firdaus

My Graduate Story

C40 is a network of nearly 100 mayors from leading cities across the globe, committed to urgent, science-based, and people-focused climate action to limit global heating to 1.5°C and build healthy, equitable, and resilient communities. Through the Global Green New Deal, C40 mayors work alongside labor, business, youth climate movements, and civil society to accelerate solutions for a thriving, sustainable future.

C40’s Air Quality Program partners with city governments at both political and technical levels to raise ambition, close data gaps, and design integrated air quality–climate solutions. The program offers tailored technical assistance, connects cities through peer-to-peer networks, and develops tools and resources to support broad adoption. It includes deep city engagement, a global technical assistance initiative, and regional programs such as the African Cities for Clean Air, enabling cities to implement impactful air quality actions.

Breathe Cities, a global initiative delivered by Clean Air Fund, C40 Cities, and Bloomberg Philantrophies break down barriers to clean air progress. The program provides funding, technical expertise, air quality data, and community engagement support to help cities implement ambitious clean air measures. It focuses on four pillars: Data and Research, Stakeholder and Community Engagement, Technical Policy Assistance, and Lesson Sharing.

Fadhil serve as Jakarta’s primary point of contact for the Breathe Cities program, coordinating city staff, stakeholders, and C40 teams to advance air quality initiatives. Build strong cross-departmental relationships, align projects with political priorities, and identify opportunities for action and funding. Oversee project delivery by convening committees, managing work plans, and facilitating workshops and policy discussions. The role involves producing high-quality materials, including reports, presentations, briefings, and talking points to support decision-making, track progress, and communicate key milestones to senior officials, including the Jakarta's Governor.

What does a typical day in your current role look like?

Fadhil works within the Regional Team alongside the Regional Director, Head of Implementation, and Technical Head for Southeast Asia. This role connects Jakarta’s city government with C40, partner (incl. Vital Strategies), funders, and partners to deliver “Breathe Jakarta,” advancing priority air quality actions to achieve the city’s clean air goals.

Fadhil is responsible to build strong relationships with technical staff across city departments, monitoring political priorities, and identifying opportunities for advancing air quality and climate initiatives. Fadhil map and engage stakeholders: government agencies, NGOs, and development partners to align efforts with regional strategies, while assembling and coordinating a city project team. They will oversee delivery of program elements, convene committees and working groups, adapt work plans to emerging needs, and facilitate workshops, meetings, and policy discussions.

Fadhil, with technical knowledge about air quality action and transport solutions gained from The University of Birmingham advances Low Emission Zone agenda in Jakarta. Together with the city staffs and program team, Fadhil conducting Feasibility Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis and enhance it into integrated approach with multiple scenario(s) implemented in Jakarta.

My Graduate Journey

Fadhil came back to Indonesia after graduated from the Uni. As Government-funded scholar, Fadhil is required to contribute in the national development agenda. Before joining C40, Fadhil worked at World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia as a Senior Air Quality Research Analyst, and he was involved in the USAID’s Clean Air Catalyst programme and WRI’s own Southeast Asia Air Quality Community of Practice Projects, as well as was responsible within science workstream as well as regional engagement.

Before that, he also served as the Chief Representative Officer for Indonesia in the Asia Pacific Air Quality Group (APAQ Group), where he was assigned to analyse project leads, identify business opportunities, and provide technical consultation and support to clients, involved in various projects on Air Quality Monitoring Station devices, from US-EPA reference method to indicative low-cost sensor instruments.

My Birmingham Experience

The curicullum and learning in the MSc Air Pollution Management And Control equipped Fadhil in his career development, particularly from fundamental science like cause and effect of air pollution, air pollution control technology, atmospheric science, and air quality management.

Top tips for students

Graduating with a Master’s in Air Pollution Management and Control from the University of Birmingham means you’re stepping into a world that urgently needs your skills and insight. You now hold the tools to understand not just the science behind air pollution, but its human impact—on health, climate, and quality of life.

My first piece of advice is to become a translator between science and action.

Second, never stop learning. Air quality science is evolving rapidlyf, from low-cost sensors, satellite monitoring, etc. Keep pace with these developments and strengthen your technical toolkit so you remain adaptable and relevant. Third, remember that air pollution and climate change are deeply connected. Policies that reduce carbon emissions often clean the air, and measures to improve air quality can cut greenhouse gases. Position yourself as someone who can work across both arenas, linking climate action with public health benefits. Fourth, embrace collaboration. The best solutions come from bringing together transport planners, health experts, community leaders, engineers, and policymakers. You’ll need not only scientific expertise but the interpersonal skills to work across sectors and bridge differences.

What were the best things about your course?

One of the best things about the MSc Air Pollution Management and Control course was its perfect balance between scientific depth and real-world application. The modules didn’t just teach the chemistry and physics of air pollution; they connected that science to monitoring technologies, modelling techniques, and practical strategies for management and control. The course also offered incredible access to experts—lecturers, researchers, and guest speakers who are leaders in air quality science and policy.