Jakarta – The shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, known as the energy transition, is expected to have a significant impact on communities in Indonesia. To mitigate these negative impacts, the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) emphasises the importance of having a clear definition and indicators of a just energy transition tailored to the Indonesian context.
“The clarity of the concept and scope of the equitable energy transition will minimise the social, economic, and technological risks of the energy transition process,” IESR Green Economy Program Manager Wira A Swadana said in a written statement at the Just Transition Dialogue II event on Sunday, July 28.
Just energy transition, according to IESR, is the process of transitioning from a carbon-intensive socio-economic system to a low-carbon socio-economic system to address existing economic, social, energy, and environmental problems, as well as mitigating potential problems arising from the transition. Wira explained that a multisectoral and multi-stakeholder approach is needed at various levels to achieve a beneficial low-carbon system that does not significantly harm the relevant parties.
Wira explained three main approaches to achieving a just transition goal: economic transformation, socio-political transformation, and environmental preservation. He said socio-political transformation to support policies and regulations that encourage an equitable transition is important, as well as environmental preservation in every step of the energy transition, including the protection of biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources.
On the same occasion, the Chairman of the Blue Collar Trade Union Forum (FSP), Royanto Purba, highlighted the importance of mitigating the negative impacts of job losses in the fossil energy sector along with the equitable energy transition, including the development of training and skills programs, the provision of safety nets for affected workers, increased social dialogue, and the involvement of workers and communities in the process.
Royanto also emphasised the need for policy coherence and harmonisation, and the establishment of a tripartite council on equitable energy transition between the government, employers, and labour. “There needs to be a clear labour roadmap to provide direction for workers facing the energy transition,” he said. (Hartatik)
