The Decline of Indonesia’s Climate Policy and Action Rating in 2023

Delima Ramadhani, Climate Policy Project Coordinator, IESR presents the results of the CAT assessment of Indonesia’s climate policies, targets and actions

Jakarta, January 31, 2024 – According to the Climate Action Tracker (CAT) report, the climate policies, actions, and targets outlined in Indonesia’s 2023 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) document as “critically insufficient” to limit global temperatures  to below 1.5 degrees Celsius. This represents a decline from 2022 when Indonesia was rated as “highly insufficient.”

The Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), a collaborator with CAT, has disclosed that Indonesia, rated as “critically insufficient” under the Enhanced NDC target, could potentially release greenhouse gas emissions of 1,800 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent for the unconditional target and 1,700 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent for the conditional target by 2030. This estimation excludes emissions from the forestry and land sectors.

Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of IESR, attributed Indonesia’s downgrade to “critically insufficient” to the escalating use of coal in downstream mining. He stressed that the lowest CAT rating implies that the existing climate targets and policies would result in global emissions surges surpassing 4 degrees Celsius.

“Indonesia requires concrete and measurable actions to transition from fossil energy and expedite the shift to renewable energy in the coming decade,” Fabby stated during his remarks at the launch of the Climate Action Tracker Assessment Indonesia and Climate Transparency Implementation Check reports, organized by IESR on January 30. 

Throughout the 2022-2023 period, the Indonesian government has made progress in climate mitigation actions, notably by promoting the development of renewable energy through Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 112/2022 concerning the Acceleration of Renewable Energy Development for Electricity Supply. Additionally, the government has made positive commitments to achieving the 2030 net zero and FOLU net sink targets. Ambitious policies are needed to realize them.

The rise in emissions in 2022 amounts to approximately 200 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, with increased coal consumption being a contributing factor. Emissions from captive power plants, those operated by utility companies outside of PLN, are anticipated to contribute to a further increase of around 100 million tons by 2030. Indonesia’s current climate policy would result in the country reaching an emissions level of 1,487-1,628 MtCO2e (excluding the forest and land sector) by 2030.

Moreover, Indonesia has committed to the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), aiming for a renewable energy mix exceeding 34% by 2030. However, it is noted that the JETP falls short of aligning Indonesia with the targets set in the Paris Agreement.

Delima Ramadhani, Climate Policy Project Coordinator at IESR, explained that to meet the Paris Agreement standards, emissions from the electricity sector must decrease to 140-150 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030, ultimately reaching zero emissions by 2040.

“Indonesia needs to adopt key reforms as outlined in the comprehensive investment planning and policy (CIPP) document of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and formulate and implement an ambitious decarbonization pathway for off-grid (captive) power plants,” explained Delima.

Considering the significance of the electricity sector and its potential for strategic decarbonization, IESR also assessed the implementation of the National Electricity General Plan (RUKN) policy. This policy serves as Indonesia’s primary reference for domestic electricity development and can be utilized for monitoring and evaluating renewable energy progress. Akbar Bagaskara, IESR’s Electricity System Analyst, explained that the overall assessment of the RUKN is “medium,” indicating that while it has a clear legal basis, namely MEMR Regulation No. 143/2019, there are numerous implementation challenges, including the consistent failure to achieve the annual renewable energy mix target.

“Indonesia’s challenges in meeting the annual targets for the renewable energy mix should prompt the government to conduct a thorough evaluation and address this issue with a sense of urgency. It is crucial for the government to formulate progressive strategies and innovations aligned with the Paris Agreement,” stated Akbar.

He elaborated on several actions the government should take to enhance the implementation of renewable energy development in Indonesia. Firstly, there is a need to increase the presence of supportive laws to foster a more conducive environment. Secondly, clear and comprehensive instruments should be provided, covering the entire spectrum from planning and procurement to reporting processes, especially for entities beyond PLN. Thirdly, a new revenue model for PLN should be established. Lastly, there is a necessity to refine PLN’s sustainable finance framework to attract a broader range of financing sources.

Dialogue on Equitable Transition: Identifying the Role of the Private Sector in Socio-Economic Empowerment of Communities

Replay Event

Background

Indonesia is the third largest coal producing country after India and China in 2022. According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Indonesia targets coal production of 694.5 million tons in 2023, 0.47% higher than the previous year’s target. As of October 2023, Indonesia’s coal production has reached 567.2 tons or 81.67% of this year’s production target. Coal in Indonesia will mostly be sold to the export market (75%-80%) and consumed domestically (20%-25%). However, with the trend of energy transition, Indonesia’s coal demand seems to be declining, one of which is from India. India decreased its coal demand from Indonesia from 8.43 million tons to 6.11 million tons as of June 2023.

In addition to the downward trend in coal demand from abroad, the Indonesian government has endorsed several commitments that will affect the use of coal going forward in line with the energy transition agenda towards renewable energy. In 2022, the Government of Indonesia passed Presidential Regulation No. 112 of 2022 on the Acceleration of Renewable Energy Development for Electricity Generation, which explicitly stipulates a ban on the construction of coal-fired power plants starting in 2030. This commitment was supported through the signing of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) agreement between Indonesia and IPG and GFANZ. Through the CIPP document, the Government of Indonesia intends to achieve peak emissions in the power sector at 290 MT CO2 and a renewable energy mix of 34% by 2030. In addition, the document also states that Indonesia should strive for an equitable energy transition process where social, economic and environmental impacts are also a concern for policy makers. The existence of national and global policies also has the potential to affect the company’s business and also the socio-economic structure of communities around mining areas.

Extractive industry activities are often the main source of local revenue, but they also cause economic, socio-community and environmental losses. With the energy transition agenda, the government plans to limit coal consumption, which will lead to faster closure of coal mines and affect local community activities. In Law No.4/2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining, post-mining activities require business actors to restore the natural environment to its original state. This is also stipulated in Law No.40/2007 which requires companies in the natural resources sector to carry out Social Responsibility activities which are widely associated with community empowerment. By integrating activities that suit the economic needs of the community with the company’s plans, it is hoped that the community can independently develop their economic activities and can be free from dependence on the company. Thus, the role of the company and local government is important for post-mining activities.

Therefore, IESR intends to invite business actors to provide information and strategies for planning successful community and environmental empowerment programs in preparation for post-mining activities. This event is also expected to strengthen post-mining planning between the government and business owners in the fair energy transition agenda.

Objective

This activity has several objectives, namely:

  1. To obtain and disseminate information related to post-mining reclamation programs both in terms of planning and implementation as well as the challenges faced towards an equitable transition;
  2. Obtain and disseminate information on the role of businesses or industries in preparing for the impact of the energy transition on the community and the surrounding environment;
  3. Identify collaborative forms of post-mining activities to develop based on economic potential, natural resources, and people through the implementation of a just transition;

Presentation

Reclamation and Post-Mining, Koordinator PPNS Minerba – Dr. Y. Sulistiyohadi

Reklamasi-dan-Pascatambang-Koordinator-PPNS-Minerba

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Reclamation and Post-Mining Ombilin1 – Yulfaizon

Reklamasi-Pasca-Tambang-Ombilin1-IESR

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IETO 2024: Reviewing Progress in the Energy Transition in Indonesia

Jakarta, 15 December 2023 – In the last three years, there has been a number of advances in the energy transition in Indonesia. Since 2020, the Indonesian government has begun to include the energy transition agenda in the government’s agenda.

At the launch of the annual flagship report Indonesia Energy Transition Outlook 2024, Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) emphasized that this progress is important.

“In the last 3 years, Indonesia has attempted to consolidate renewable energy incentive policies. The results are not yet widely visible, but the energy transition issue is increasingly being discussed, has become an important issue, and is on the government agenda. The next stage, with a consolidated policy, Indonesia’s energy transition steps can be faster.”

Fabby added that in compiling the IETO 2024 report, the IESR team used four frameworks to analyze the development of the energy transition in Indonesia including (1) policy and regulatory framework, (2) funding and investment support, (3) implementation of technology, and (4) social impact and public support.

On the same occasion, Dadan Kusdiana, Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), stated that the consolidation carried out by the government at this time was not only carried out from a regulatory perspective, but was also carried out from a techno-economic one.

“In our opinion, one of the keys to the success of NZE (net zero emissions) in the power generation sector is the existence of a super grid that connects the islands in Indonesia,” said Dadan.

Indonesia’s decarbonization achievements during 2023 are considered less than encouraging, where in this one year the addition of renewable energy capacity only increased by around 1 GW, far from the 2021-2030 RUPTL target which set 3.4 GW target in the same period.

Alvin Sisdwinugraha, IESR Electricity Sector Analyst, said that Indonesia needs to immediately improve to pursue its decarbonization target, especially in developing renewable energy projects.

“The government can implement a number of strategies including reviewing the project preparation phase, increasing project attractiveness, improving the domestic renewable energy supply chain, and immediately improving electricity network infrastructure,” he said

Alvin also highlighted the biomass development strategy, which is closely related to the availability of land for the feedstock. Considering the limited availability of land, he said. It would be good if the use of biomass is focused on hard-to-abate sectors.

Apart from the electricity sector, other sectors that consume energy are industry and buildings. The industrial sector is the trigger for a significant increase in energy consumption in Indonesia, or around 81%. In 2022, there will be the addition of 5 commercial smelter units, which could have an impact on the potential to double energy consumption by 2023.

Fathin Sabbiha Wismadi, Energy Efficiency Analyst in Buildings, IESR, said that the existence of binding regulations would be an acceleration of energy efficiency.

“We have 6 things that can contribute to reducing energy intensity in Indonesia, first, electrification. Second, energy efficiency, third, regulations regarding energy consumption and energy efficiency, fourth, ecosystem and infrastructure such as charging locations, fifth, incentives and sixth, increase awareness of the Indonesian people,” said Fathin.

From the supply side, at the sub-national level, a number of provinces in Indonesia have completed General Regional Energy Plans (RUED). Anindita Hapsari, Agricultural Analyst, Forestry, Land Use and Climate Change IESR highlights the need for assistance in each region in accelerating the adoption of renewable energy.

“The capabilities of each region are different, requiring assistance in the form of regulations and schemes, both financial and non-financial,” said Anin.

Availability of financing is one of the issues that hinders the acceleration of renewable energy. One reason is that the perception of renewable energy investment is still relatively low. Martha Jessica, IESR Socioeconomic Analyst conveyed that investment in renewable energy generation is still considered a high-risk investment.

“The realization of investment in renewables is also still low. The trend is very far from ideal, in which this year and last year did not reach the target, namely the investment target of USD 1.8 billion in 2023, but last semester only around 30% was achieved,” she said.

The electricity sector is the leading sector in Indonesia’s decarbonization agenda, because it already has a decarbonization roadmap. However, targets in the electricity sector are still not easy to achieve.

His Muhammad Bintang, Energy Storage and Battery Technology Analyst, IESR, said there are at least three things that need to be encouraged to ensure the electricity sector decarbonization target is achieved.

“First, we need to build a clean energy ecosystem, secondly physical and non-physical infrastructure, and prioritize interventions that have been proved,” he said.

Indonesia’s Effort in Greening the Chemical Industry

Jakarta, 21 November 2023 – Chemical industry is considered as one that is heavy on emission. In Indonesia, various industries, including iron & steel, pulp & paper, cement, and textile interconnect with the chemical industry. The integration of the Indonesian chemical industry, especially ammonia, into the fertilizers industry, contributes to Indonesia’s position as the fifth largest ammonia producer in the world. Indonesia’s proactive measures to green its ammonia industry significantly impact the global ammonia landscape.

Faricha Hidayati, the project coordinator for industry decarbonization at the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) during the webinar titled “Greening the Chemical Industry: International Perspective and Insights” highlights the amount of emission released for every ton of ammonia produced. 

“For every ton of ammonia produced, its average direct emissions are 2.4 tons of CO2. It is two times higher than crude steel and four times that of cement,” Faricha said. 

Given that huge number of emissions, the ammonia industry accounts for 2% of global energy usage. Therefore, decarbonizing the industry is evidently crucial. Faricha further explained that IESR is currently proposing four pillars to decarbonize the ammonia industry in Indonesia: material efficiency, energy efficiency, green ammonia, and the utilization of CCS during the process. 

Faricha added that there is an opportunity to propel the ammonia industry in Indonesia as they are already aware of their emission and have the willingness to figure out a way to limit the emission.

“Another opportunity is Indonesia’s vast potential for green hydrogen projects, coupled with variable renewable energy up to 3,686 GW,” she said.

After assessing the current status quo, IESR urges the government to set a clear emission reduction target for the industrial sector. Though currently Indonesia already has a grand vision on achieving net zero emissions in 2060 or sooner, there is still no clear target and roadmap for the industry sector in contributing to the NZE goal.

Implementing the energy efficiency measures in the ammonia industry is considered as the low- hanging fruit to decarbonize the industry sector. This approach requires least initial investment and technology adoption, while advocating for the long-term strategies.

The full version of the webinar “Greening the Chemical Industry: International Perspective and Insights” can be watched here.

Telling Energy Stories Through Comedy

Jakarta, 16 November 2023 – Effective communication is important to change the paradigm and spread the energy transition narrative. Quite complex and cross-sectoral issues make energy transition communication challenging. For this reason, it is necessary to look for alternative forms of communication to pave the way for spreading the energy transition narrative.

The Clean, Affordable, and Secure Energy (CASE) for Southeast Asia program carries out standup comedy performances to promote the energy transition narrative in a less formal way wrapped in comedy. The event, entitled “Talking about Energy Using Comedy”, featured five stand-up comedians from various backgrounds.

During the program introduction session, CASE Project Manager, Agus Tampubolon explained that this initiative was inspired by science slams such as in Germany.

“The goal is for science to be dissected in language that is easy to understand and linked to everyday topics,” said Agus.

This is in line with the view of Rahmat Mardiana, Director of Electricity, Telecommunications and Information, Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, namely that special efforts are needed to encourage communication on energy transition issues in Indonesia.

“This (energy) transition is quite complex, in which we need to reduce dependence on fossil energy. It is complex because it is closely related to human and mineral resources as well as financial availability, so communicative activities are needed so that this understanding becomes more widespread,” said Rahmat.

Deputy for Facilities and Infrastructure, Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, Ervan Maksum, added that the narrative of the energy transition and the urgency to maintain the global temperature no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius may already be an understanding for some people. However, for certain groups, real examples and language that are easier to comprehend are needed.

“The public and perhaps even local governments need more concrete relevant topics such as the duration and increasingly chaotic patterns of seasons to understand the climate crisis and energy transition. So this activity is very good because even though the comics may not be presenting energy transition material per se or not be funny when performing, at least during the preparation they (comics-ed) will definitely read or learn about energy transitions so that the learning process continues,” he said.

This event featured Byan Yukadar (1st Runner Up Porseni Stand-Up Comedy Bappenas), Muhammad Fadhil (2nd Runner Up Porseni Stand-Up Comedy Bappenas), Irvan S. Kartawiria, (Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Swiss German University (SGU) 2018 Period -2022), Hery Sutanto (Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Life Sciences, Swiss German University (SGU) and Pandji Pragiwaksono (CEO of COMIKA & Stand-up Comedian Indonesia).