[Jakarta, 27 October 2021] The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat—it is happening now. Over the past year, extreme weather events and the COVID-19 pandemic have delivered a double blow to millions of people across continents. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2020 was one of the three hottest years ever recorded, even with a cooling La Niña event underway. More than 30 million people were displaced due to weather-related disasters. In Indonesia alone, around 6.3 million people were forced to evacuate due to hydrometeorological disasters such as heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides.

Last year, the global average temperature was already 1.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels (1850–1900). Meanwhile, the global community is striving to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius while aiming to achieve Net Zero Emissions (NZE) by 2060 to reduce the impacts of climate change.

In this context, Indonesia plays a critical role in helping slow global warming. As a country with vast tropical forest cover, Indonesia has the potential to become a major power shaping the global response to the climate crisis.

This mission can begin at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), taking place from 31 October to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. As part of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), COP26 is a high-level forum for 197 countries to discuss global climate action and pathways to avert a climate emergency. President Joko Widodo is scheduled to attend.

However, playing such a significant role is no easy task. Indonesia must innovate in its economic development strategy to meet its climate targets, said Chenny Wongkar, researcher at the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL). Development must be green, just, and balanced—not solely focused on growth, but also on shared prosperity and environmental responsibility.

“This kind of development must ensure environmental protection, support public welfare, and strengthen resilience against the climate crisis,” Chenny said.

Indicators of such development include clean air free from pollution, development that does not exploit essential natural resources or damage ecosystems, and the fulfillment of basic needs such as energy, food, healthcare, and sanitation. Indonesia, Chenny argued, must move away from an extractive economic model focused on short-term gains and shift toward a green economy built on long-term benefits.

One immediate step is transitioning from fossil-based energy sources—such as coal and its derivatives—to renewable energy. The energy sector must become the main focus of Indonesia’s increased climate ambition.

Deon Arinaldo, Program Manager for Energy Transformation at the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), referring to Indonesia’s Long-Term Strategy on Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Development (LTS-LCCR 2050), noted that the energy sector is projected to emit more than 1,100 million tons of CO2e by 2030. At the same time, Indonesia is expected to be reducing emissions in order to reach NZE before 2060. Currently, 91 percent of domestic transportation still relies on fossil fuels.

The impacts of this dependence are severe—environmental degradation, mining-related casualties, and heavy fuel imports. If the so-called energy transition merely shifts to other non-renewable sources such as coal liquefaction or gas, it will only delay the real transition to renewables.

“Indonesia needs a comprehensive transition from fossil-based energy to clean, renewable energy,” Deon said.

Forest protection is equally critical. To achieve NZE, forests are needed as carbon sinks—yet fossil fuel industries continue to drive environmental destruction. According to Salma Zakiyah from the Forest and Climate Program at Yayasan Madani Berkelanjutan, protecting and restoring natural ecosystems is key to winning the fight against the climate crisis.

“Peatlands, forests, mangroves, and oceans are extraordinary carbon sinks and vital in protecting communities from the impacts of climate change,” she said.

Over the past four years, Indonesia has managed to reduce deforestation rates. However, not all remaining natural forests and peat ecosystems are protected. Around 9.6 million hectares of natural forest and 2.8 million hectares of peat ecosystems remain at risk of clearing.

The government must also realize its 12.7 million-hectare social forestry target, enabling Indigenous Peoples and local communities to manage and protect forests. Degraded and burned forests must also be rehabilitated.

Reaching NZE also requires reforming the waste sector. Waste management must be addressed comprehensively—from production to consumption. Yobel Novian Putra, Coordinator of the Zero Waste Indonesia Alliance, said Indonesia’s waste management focus has been misplaced.

Waste policies must begin upstream, requiring producers to implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), redesign packaging to be refillable or recyclable, and eliminate hazardous materials. On the downstream side, strict sanctions should apply to consumers who fail to sort waste, while recycling infrastructure must be strengthened.

“If we only focus on the downstream side, we will never solve the problem,” Yobel said.

The government should also phase out waste incineration technologies, which generate greenhouse gas emissions and toxic ash. Composting domestic waste should be expanded, while sanitary and controlled landfills must be optimized to reduce methane emissions. Currently, 514 municipal landfills still operate under open dumping systems, projected to emit 296 Mt CO2e of methane by 2030.

If these steps are insufficient, the government must also reform climate finance. Bruce Mecca, analyst at Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), noted that much of the public budget has shifted toward health and economic recovery during the pandemic, sidelining climate financing.

“The challenge is ensuring this shift does not become permanent. Long-term budgets must remain focused on building a green economy,” he said.

The government should create policies that attract green investment—by providing incentives for sustainable sectors and disincentives for polluting industries. For example, fiscal transfers to regional governments could prioritize green energy budgeting. Such measures would help mobilize both domestic and international private investment.

We, the Climate Crisis Concerned Community, call on President Joko Widodo’s administration to:

• Ensure an inclusive, just, and welfare-oriented green economic pathway, accelerating Net Zero Emissions before 2060 through a clear and measurable roadmap;

• Immediately transition from fossil fuels—such as coal and its derivatives—to renewable energy through inclusive, decentralized, measurable, and just energy transition policies;

• Strengthen the protection of natural ecosystems, including halting land-use changes inconsistent with Indonesia’s net zero ambitions;

• Implement comprehensive waste management reforms, from sustainable production and consumption patterns to improved recycling systems;

• Position Indonesia as an inclusive and sustainable green investment destination by expanding green finance incentives and discouraging dirty investments.

About the Community

The Climate Crisis Concerned Community is a civil society group advocating for stronger action against the climate crisis. The group aims to encourage policies that safeguard environmental sustainability and ensure communities’ long-term rights to a healthy environment.

Contacts:

Chenny Wongkar – Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL)
Chenny@icel.or.id | +62 857 2801 1697

Deon Arinaldo – Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR)
deon@iesr.or.id | +62 813 1853 5687

Salma Zakiyah – Yayasan Madani Berkelanjutan
salma@madaniberkelanjutan.id | +62 821 1631 4868

Yobel Novian Putra – Zero Waste Indonesia Alliance
yobelnovianputra@gmail.com | +62 821 2818 4440

Bruce Mecca – Climate Policy Initiative (CPI)
Bruce.Mecca@cpiglobal.org | +62 812 8554 8670