Jakarta—The Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) underscores the importance of equity in implementing Indonesia’s Second Nationally Determined Contribution (SNDC), recently proposed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF). According to IESR, the proposed climate targets are still not ambitious enough to respond to the urgency of the global climate crisis. However, Indonesia has taken an important step by drafting the SNDC.
IESR Executive Director Fabby Tumiwa said a more ambitious emission reduction target is needed to keep global temperature rise to no more than 1.5°C following the Paris Agreement.
“A more ambitious climate target is needed so that Indonesia can contribute significantly to keeping the global temperature rise to no more than 1.5°C. This is not just about numbers, but about real commitment to a safer and more sustainable future,” Fabby said.
Fabby also criticised the mitigation actions proposed by the government in the energy sector, which still relies on carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in coal-fired power plants. He stated that this technology is still doubtful of its effectiveness in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
“Mitigation actions that still rely on CCS technology in coal-fired power plants contradict the goal of ending the use of coal launched by the government in Perpres (Government Regulation) number 112/2022,” said Fabby.
Furthermore, IESR also encourages the SNDC to include a clear plan for the early retirement of coal-fired power plants (PLTU), under the road map prepared by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR). In addition, IESR calls for an increase in the renewable energy mix to 45% by 2030, which aligns with the global target of triple renewable energy capacity by the same year.
Delima Ramadhani, IESR Climate Policy Project Coordinator, added that equity in the energy transition should be a top priority in the SNDC. According to her, this should include community involvement in the decision-making process and support for vulnerable groups affected by the energy transition, such as workers in the coal sector.
“A just transition must start with recognising factors such as gender and age that may hinder equal participation in the transition process,” Delima explained.
She also emphasized the importance of transparency in setting and implementing SNDC targets. The government is expected to provide clarity on the assumptions and basis used in setting emission reduction targets, including how aspects of justice or equity are considered in the determination.
“The government needs to clearly explain how Indonesia’s contribution to achieving the 1.5°C target is based on the principle of equity and whether the target set is following the country’s obligations and capacity,” Delima said.
IESR also encourages the government to show strong political commitment to removing policies contrary to climate mitigation efforts. In addition, integration of NDC into all sectoral policies is also needed to ensure that mitigation efforts go hand in hand across all sectors.
IESR emphasises that to achieve equitable and sustainable climate targets, Indonesia must take more ambitious and transparent concrete steps in implementing the SNDC. This is about meeting international obligations and creating a more secure and prosperous future for all Indonesians. (Hartatik)
