Jakarta – Indonesia’s latest emissions reduction target is categorised as critically insufficient or far from enough to curb global warming, according to the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR).
Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of IESR, in his speech at the Seminar “Bridging the Cross-Sectoral Gap in Pursuing More Ambitious Climate Targets in Indonesia”, said that based on Climate Action Tracker (CAT) data, global action based on current policies will lead to a global temperature increase of 2.7°C.
“There is a gap between current policies and emissions levels compatible with the Paris Agreement. Based on Indonesia’s climate policies and actions, emissions are expected to reach 111.4-132.0 Giga Tonnes CO2e/year by 2030 (excluding LULUCF), or 351-415% above 1990 levels,” Tumiwa said.
He said emissions must fall to 0.56-0.86 GtCO2e/year by 2030 (excluding LULUCF) to be compatible with the Paris Agreement. In addition, two sectors, namely transport and industry, have yet to show action towards meeting the net zero target.
In contrast, the energy sector has a clear strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “This shows that there is a gap in action or there is no transparent and measurable strategy and plan, so it is feared that it will make Indonesia fail to achieve the Paris Agreement targets,” Tumiwa said.
No measurable strategy
Sustainable development with low emissions is believed to bring Indonesia out of the 30-year income trap (1993-2022) to move towards developed countries.
For this reason, IESR encourages the government to set clear and measurable emission reduction targets and actions seriously and include these targets in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
According to Tumiwa, different signals from policymakers that adjust each sector’s priorities related to climate crisis mitigation have led to a slow movement to achieve emission reduction targets in line with the Paris Agreement.
“The absence of a measurable strategy leads to different signals sectorally. For example, budget allocations for climate change adaptation and mitigation are not appropriate, policy-making is often not aligned cross-sectorally, and even the transport sector has not been targeted with a deadline to reach peak emissions. Climate action needs to be integrated into the preparation of the RPJPN followed by the RPJMN,” he said.
Medrilzam, Director of Environment at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, on the same occasion, explained that his office had finalised the National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN) 2025-2045 document, which prioritises the principle of sustainable development. One main target is reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 95% by 2045.
“Emission reduction should not be seen as just reducing emissions and must consider economic development. Green economic interventions with low-carbon development will increase the environment’s carrying capacity and reduce GHG emissions while encouraging Indonesia’s average GDP growth in 2022-2045 to reach 6-7%,” said Medrilzam.
Medrilzam said that the investment needed is an average of IDR 2.377 trillion annually from 2025-2045 to implement green economy policies. To fulfil these needs, policies are needed to strengthen green innovative financing, such as blended finance, impact investment, carbon tax, and others. (Hartatik)
Banner photo: liyuhan/shutterstock.com
