Debate Notes for Candidates for Governor and Deputy Governor of Bali 2024
Bali Province can serve as a concrete example of how a region with a high dependency on tourism can transition to sustainable development without compromising economic growth. The Bali Net Zero Emission (NZE) 2045 initiative declared by the Bali Provincial Government on August 4, 2023 in collaboration with various stakeholders is an important step to ensure that Bali’s economic development and tourism sector maintain environmental sustainability and local culture. With the right policies, Bali can align its sustainable development agenda, balancing economic growth with environmental preservation.
Efforts to reduce carbon emissions through clean energy transition, such as the use of solar power plants (PLTS) and low-carbon transportation, can directly contribute to climate change mitigation and environmental quality improvement. The Bali NZE 2045 initiative also supports sustainable tourism by encouraging more environmentally friendly accommodation and tourism activities and increasing Bali’s global competitiveness. In addition, the implementation of NZE has the potential to create inclusive green economic opportunities, strengthen energy security, and support sustainable community welfare. Therefore, it is important for the policies to be carried out by the elected Governor of Bali 2024-2029 to integrate the objectives of NZE in targeted implementation steps.
The 2024 Bali Governor Election is a crucial momentum in determining the regional leader and development direction of the Island of the Gods. The Bali Governor and Deputy Governor Candidate Debate presented the vision and mission of both candidates and deepened their goals and strategic plans as part of the public information delivery. In a series of three open debates, the two Candidates for Governor and Vice Governor of Bali Province, Made Muliawan Arta and Putu Agus Suradnyana (Number 1) and Wayan Koster and I Nyoman Giri Prasta (Number 2) debated their visions, missions and ideas with themes covering environmental sustainability, economic resilience, governance and cultural preservation. The incisive discussion involved panelists from various fields, presenting concrete visions from both candidates for a sustainable and inclusive Bali.
First Debate Notes: Shaping Bali towards Sustainable Tourism
The issue of tourism is a strategic theme given its position as the main pillar of Bali’s economy. Candidate number 1, Mulia-PAS, promotes a community-based (bottom-up) approach, with indigenous villages as key actors in the renewable energy transition. Their flagship program, Bali Metaksu, includes strategic initiatives such as education subsidies and support for local artists to preserve cultural wisdom. The importance of source-based waste management, controlling the carrying capacity of the environment, and increasing the value of tourist spending to maintain the sustainability of Bali’s tourism quality.
However, challenges related to the readiness of traditional village infrastructure and the need for significant funding are critical concerns.
Meanwhile, Governor candidate pair number 2, Koster-Giri, prioritizes the protection of conservation areas as the core of sustainable tourism policy, in line with the Bali Zero Net Emissions 2045 initiative. The track record presented includes success in reducing single-use plastics and implementing source-based waste management. Other strategic programs include temple restoration and preservation of cultural artifacts as an integral part of inclusive and environmentally oriented tourism.
In this second debate, IESR highlighted Mulia-PAS’s community-based (bottom-up) approach through customary villages as renewable energy transition actors that have great potential, but require readiness of human resources, careful planning, and facilitation of diverse financing sources so that implementation is not partial and sustainable. For the presentation of the Koster-Giri candidate pair, in realizing sustainable tourism, energy transition should also be conveyed as one part of realizing a sustainable tourism program as a whole, considering that tourism and commercial activities use a large amount of energy and need to switch to renewable energy sources.
IESR has completed the Nusa Penida 100% renewable energy roadmap as part of the effort to encourage Nusa Penida as a renewable energy-based island. The integration of this roadmap with the tourism strategy can support carbon footprint reduction, clean energy optimization in the accommodation sector, and organic waste management is an important step in realizing sustainable tourism.
Second Debate Notes: Addressing the Dynamics of Regional Autonomy
In the theme of economic diversification strategy, the candidate pair for Governor Mulia-PAS proposed the development of a creative economy sector based on local wisdom to reduce dependence on tourism. They also proposed a support program for MSMEs, labor-intensive in villages, and a digital platform to bring together job seekers and employers. The main challenges faced are inadequate digital infrastructure, especially in remote areas, the importance of infrastructure investment to support sustainable economic growth.
The candidate pair for Governor Koster-Giri emphasized regulation-based policies to support Bali’s Net Zero Emissions. Energy transformation is a top priority, including accelerating the adoption of Solar Power Plants (PLTS) in traditional villages, incentives for the use of rooftop PLTS, and the implementation of mandatory renewable energy policies in the tourism sector. In addition, they proposed source-based waste management and low-emission zones for electric vehicle-based public transportation. Challenges such as the need for large investments and technological resistance, with solutions in the form of international collaboration and the involvement of traditional villages.
In this second debate, IESR underlined the potential for renewable energy transformation promoted by Koster-Giri, such as the adoption of PLTS and electric transportation, but did not highlight concrete steps to accelerate the integration of this technology into Bali’s energy system comprehensively and forms of government support for the public. Meanwhile, Mulia-PAS showed a vision of a locally-based creative economy that has the potential to drive non-tourism economic sectors and economic equality, but did not include the potential for widespread use of renewable energy that could provide access to quality energy for the necessary supporting infrastructure – such as internet access.
Renewable energy available in various locations, ranging from solar energy (PLTS), mini- and microhydro, to biomass; has the potential to be utilized locally for productive activities. Bali Province has a renewable energy potential of 143 Gigawatts (GW), with the largest potential being PLTS and can be utilized throughout Bali.
Third Debate Notes: Ngardi Bali Santhi lan Jagadhita (Realizing a Peaceful and Prosperous Bali)
The issue of employment was highlighted in the final debate, with Mulia-PAS identifying three root causes: lack of coaching, limited job opportunities, and low quality human resources. As solutions, they proposed skills-based education, digital training, facilitation of competency certification, and support for migrant workers through overseas work programs and access to business capital.
On the other hand, Koster-Giri highlighted the mismatch between education and labor market needs and low labor productivity. Their solutions include increasing vocational training and quality education integrated with a commitment to a green economy. This includes green certification for tourist destinations, economic diversification based on local wisdom, and development of renewable energy supply chains, creating a sustainable and adaptive work ecosystem.
IESR highlighted the third debate which began to raise the issue of employment, but the discussion on green jobs as part of a green economy was still lacking in depth. Koster-Giri has touched on the development of renewable energy supply chains, but its concrete implementation and potential for green job creation have not been well described. Meanwhile, Mulia-PAS’s solutions related to skills development and access to capital have not been explicitly linked to green job opportunities that support Bali NZE 2045.
Conclusion
Energy transition and sustainable development have become urgent and relevant agendas for Bali, not only related to tourism as the engine of Bali’s growth, but also to encouraging improvements in the quality of life and welfare of the community with a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
IESR urges Bali’s gubernatorial candidates to emphasize their plans and commitments to prioritize the energy transition and low-carbon development, by integrating Bali’s Net Zero Emissions 2045 target into all development sectors, including but not limited to education, economy, and tourism. IESR recommendations for the elected Governor are:
- Integration of the Bali Net Zero Emissions 2045 initiative into the medium-term development plan and sectoral plans
- Inclusive involvement of communities, academics, traditional leaders, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to strive for productive and sustainable collaboration
- Initiate priority energy transition programs, such as support for the use of rooftop solar power plants in various buildings, energy-independent villages, environmentally conscious tourism areas, and Nusa Penida 100% renewable energy – with open collaboration with various parties
- Empowerment and capacity building of human resources through various education programs, increasing public awareness, and creating green jobs
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