Jakarta, October 10, 2024—The Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), a think tank focused on energy, climate, and environmental issues, sent an official letter to the General Election Commission (KPU) and Regional Election Commissions (KPUD) in seven provinces in Indonesia on Tuesday (8/10/2024). The seven provinces have and will partner with IESR: Central Java, South Sumatra, Jambi, DKI Jakarta, Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, and East Kalimantan. 

This letter requests the KPU and KPUD to make energy transition and climate change one of the main topics in the 2024 Pilkada debate. IESR views energy transition and climate change as crucial challenges that must be faced by regional head candidates to ensure sustainable development and long-term prosperity for the people of Indonesia.

In the letter, IESR emphasized the critical role of local governments in supporting the national target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 or earlier and the government’s renewable energy target. Local governments play a crucial role in implementing energy transition policies, ranging from developing renewable energy such as solar power plants (solar PV), increasing energy efficiency and green economic growth, to reducing dependence on fossil energy that contributes to climate change.

“Energy transition is not only a national issue but also a regional issue. Regional heads have a big responsibility to ensure that their policies and programs align with national and global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat the impacts of climate change. Therefore, we consider it important that the KPU and KPUD include this issue in the 2024 Pilkada debate agenda,” said Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of IESR.

IESR also reminded us that the public is increasingly aware of the adverse impacts of climate change and air pollution and the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy sources. By including energy transition issues in the Pilkada debate, regional head candidates demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development and help the public understand their vision and mission in addressing energy and environmental challenges at the local level.

This official request letter is expected to be the first step in strengthening local government involvement in the national energy transition agenda and encouraging more relevant and future-oriented Pilkada debates.