GEN-B: Mangroves Showcase Determination to Reduce Personal Emissions

Jakarta, March 27, 2024– A procession of individuals in moss green attire filled the streets around Gambir, Central Jakarta. Their attire bore the insignia of Generasi Energi Bersih (GEN-B) or Clean Energy Generation, and some carried placards encouraging onlookers to curb their personal emissions. With youthful faces, approximately 350 individuals gathered to address emissions contributing to the global climate crisis.

Supported by the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), Generasi Energi Bersih (GEN-B) South Jakarta in collaboration with GEN-B Jakarta, and Pertamina University’s Heuri Cosmos Research and Scientific Work Student Activity Unit, rallied the youth of Jakarta. Engaging in a leisurely march, they endeavored to reduce emissions by planting mangroves, departing from Gambir and converging on the mangrove ecotourism area at Pantai Indah Kapuk (4/3).

Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of IESR participated in the mangrove planting initiative. He stated that GEN-B initiated the activity, utilizing jejakkarbon.id to calculate daily emissions. GEN-B members then pooled funds and donations for carbon offsetting, including mangrove planting.

“Mangrove planting embodies the tangible concern of our youth, acknowledging their daily activities’ contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to awareness, they offset emissions through simple actions like turning off lights and minimizing waste. Planting mangroves aims to absorb emissions from the atmosphere,” explained Fabby.

Fabby expressed hope for similar initiatives nationwide, as GEN-B has expanded to nine cities across the country, including Bandung, Yogyakarta, Bali, and Bogor.

“Embracing emission reduction can be a shared ethos among GEN-B members. They serve as information sources and inspiration, fostering a generation aware of emission reduction to avert a climate crisis,” Fabby emphasized.

Riko Andriawan, Chairman of GEN-B South Jakarta, noted that planting 350 mangrove seedlings could significantly aid emission absorption.

“Emission reduction doesn’t require extravagance; it begins with self-awareness. Simple steps like using public transport, minimizing disposable plastics, and conserving electricity can contribute. Younger generations must grasp global warming and emission reduction concepts,” stated Riko.

Maya Lynn, GEN-B Indonesia Chairperson, underscored that the foremost challenge arises from individual actions.

“Awareness of our carbon footprint must start within. Websites like jejakkarbonku.id allow us to quantify our emissions, fostering consciousness about our environmental impact.”

Nur Azizah, representing Research and Scientific Work  Student Activity Unit Heuri Cosmos Universitas Pertamina, lauded the collaboration with GEN-B South Jakarta as a commendable opportunity. Their advocacy for renewable energy and emission reduction through research found tangible expression in mangrove planting, contributing to a greener planet.

Encouraging Industrial Decarbonization Starting from Consumer Lifestyle

Jakarta, 22 March 2024 – The increase of the earth’s temperature is an inevitable phenomenon as a result of various natural events and human activities and lifestyles which produce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as the cause of the rise in the earth’s temperature.

The invention of the steam engine in 1880 made monumental changes to human life with the beginning of industrialization. The development of industry has been accompanied by increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2022 recorded an increase in earth temperature of 1.1 degrees Celsius. This is a warning for humanity to immediately take steps to control temperature rise to prevent the temperature increase from reaching no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Faricha Hidayati, Coordinator of the Industrial Decarbonization Project, Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) explained that rising earth temperatures could trigger hydrometeorological disasters, one of which will be at an increasingly high frequency.

“Apart from environmental problems, another side impact is health costs which will rise along with the increase in disease, especially those that attack vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children and poor households,” explained Faricha.

Even though it is one of the sectors causing increased GHG emissions, the industrial sector has a significant economic contribution. So strategic steps and efforts are needed to decarbonize the industrial sector.

In 2021, industrial sector emissions will be the second largest emitting sector after electricity generation. If we continue to use the business as usual scheme without any intervention, the value of emissions in the industrial sector will double by 2050.

“The industrial sector contributes to emissions of more than 300 million tons of CO2 in 2021, with the highest source of emissions from the use of fossil fuels as an energy source,” added Faricha.

Even though there are regulations that encourage industry to practice sustainable principles, their implementation is not yet mandatory. Even for industries that independently have the initiative to implement sustainable principles, there is no incentive system for them.

Faricha continued, apart from through policy advocacy to the government, consumers can contribute, one of the ways is by choosing products that are produced with sustainable principles. Consumers can also demand that producers or industries start implementing sustainable principles in their production processes.

Renewable Energy Must Reign Supreme in Southeast Asia

Jakarta, March 27, 2024-Southeast Asia is a world’s fifth-largest economy region in 2022. However, this economic growth comes with a concerning projection: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the region are expected to soar by 60 percent by 2050. Curbing these emissions is pivotal for global efforts to combat climate change. Unfortunately, current endeavors to promote renewable energy in Southeast Asia fall short of aligning with the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), stated at the Revision 2024 International Conference in Tokyo (14/3) that ASEAN countries have set a target to achieve a renewable energy mix of 23 percent by 2025. However, he emphasized that this target doesn’t align with the Paris Agreement’s objectives.

“To align with the Paris Agreement, the renewable energy mix needs to account for 55 percent, with variable renewable energy (VRE) contributing 42 percent. Except for Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines, others have yet to reach 5 percent VRE penetration. The good news is that in 2023, ASEAN countries will have over 28 GW of operating utility solar and wind capacity, a 20 percent increase in operating capacity since last year. Currently, they make up 9 percent of ASEAN countries’ total electricity capacity. But in order for ASEAN countries to meet the goal, they need to install more renewable energy,” Fabby remarked.

Fabby further highlighted the relatively abundant renewable energy resources in Southeast Asia, which are estimated to be 40-50 times greater than the region’s current energy needs. He suggested that utilizing floating solar power plants could be a strategic move towards decarbonizing the energy system. He elaborated on the technical potential, with reservoirs boasting 134 to 278 GW and natural water surfaces such as rivers, lakes, and seas holding 343 to 768 GW. However, he stressed the importance of conducting detailed calculations of the technical, market, and economic potential, as well as site-specific assessments to develop floating solar power plants.

Additionally, he highlighted the need for Southeast Asian countries to adopt more ambitious policies, provide robust budget support and incentives, and enact policies that attract investment. The average annual investment in renewable energy capacity should be increased by five times to USD 73 billion per year.

Fabby emphasized that Southeast Asian countries must elevate their ambitions to meet the Paris Agreement targets. As an immediate step, ASEAN should aim for a 23 percent renewable energy mix by 2025 and 40 percent by 2030.

“Various studies have shown that decarbonizing the energy system with renewable energy in Southeast Asia is feasible; however, current policies and actions are insufficient to achieve significant decarbonization by 2050. While renewable energy resources are abundant and ample, substantial investment is needed. Each country must reform policies and manage risks associated with renewable energy projects to attract and mobilize investors further,” Fabby added.

He also cautioned against perpetuating a narrative that prioritizes fossil energy as a baseload generator under the guise of maintaining energy security, while sidelining renewable energy. Such a narrative, he argued, is counterproductive and contradicts the spirit of the Paris Agreement.