PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — The Just Coalition for Our Planet (JustCOP), a civil society alliance, has called on the Indonesian government to strengthen its carbon emission reduction commitments amid concerns that current national energy policies could derail global climate goals.
During an online discussion held on Monday (October 14, 2025), Syaharani, Head of the Climate and Decarbonization Division at the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL), revealed that Indonesia’s carbon emission peak, originally targeted for 2030, is now projected to be delayed until 2037.
“The energy sector’s emission peak has been pushed back by seven years compared to the projection in the Long-Term Strategy for Low Carbon and Climate Resilience (LTS-LCCR) 2050,” said Syaharani, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com on Wednesday (October 22, 2025).
Also Read:
The discussion also featured Tri Purnajaya, Director of Economic Development and Environment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Torry Kuswardono, Coordinator of the Secretariat of the People’s Alliance for Climate Justice.
Emission Targets Drifting Away from Early Commitments
Syaharani explained that the delay is reflected in the National Electricity General Plan (RUKN) 2024–2060, which anticipates coal-fired power generation to continue rising until it peaks in 2037. Likewise, the National Energy Policy (KEN) still envisions fossil fuels contributing 79% of Indonesia’s energy mix by 2030.
“Under the Business as Usual (BAU) scenario for 2030, Indonesia’s carbon emissions are projected to increase by 148% compared to 2010 levels,” Syaharani noted.
She also pointed out that the Enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (ENDC) document, prepared in 2022, failed to include a plan for the early retirement of coal plants—despite the energy sector being the largest national emitter.
If this trend persists, Indonesia could exceed the 1.5°C global warming threshold above pre-industrial levels. “Even if the ENDC target is met, national emissions would remain high, worsening the climate crisis,” she warned.
Indonesia Yet to Submit Its Updated Climate Commitment
As of mid-October 2025, Indonesia has not yet submitted its Second Nationally Determined Contribution (SNDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat, despite the September 2025 deadline. The document is critical for discussions at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP 30) scheduled for November.
In response, Tri Purnajaya confirmed that Indonesia remains committed to submitting the SNDC soon but urged the public to recognize the challenges involved.
“Our emission reduction efforts must align with the goal of achieving 8% economic growth. Indonesia is not alone—only about half of Paris Agreement signatories have submitted their SNDCs,” he stated.
Civil Society Calls for People-Centered Climate Policy
In the same forum, Torry Kuswardono, Coordinator of the Secretariat of the People’s Alliance for Climate Justice and Executive Director of Yayasan PIKUL, emphasized that climate mitigation policies should not come at the expense of vulnerable communities.
“Over the past decade, grassroots resilience to climate change has actually weakened,” Torry said.
He cited examples such as industrial projects tied to nickel downstreaming in North Maluku and Central Sulawesi, which have triggered land conflicts, environmental pollution, and displacement of local communities. Torry argued that national climate policies have yet to adequately protect vulnerable groups such as indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, laborers, and informal workers.
Torry also criticized the lack of transparency and inclusivity in Indonesia’s climate policy-making process.
“Public consultations are often symbolic—announced one day, and the policy is approved the next,” he said.
He urged the government to prioritize small-scale, community-based climate projects that are inclusive and locally driven rather than large, centralized industrial initiatives that risk ecological damage.
“Local communities know their needs best. Building food resilience doesn’t require clearing forests—forests are our biodiversity strongholds that sustain life,” he added.
The JustCOP coalition warned that Indonesia’s delayed emission peak and slow policy updates could jeopardize the country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and heighten the risk of an intensified climate crisis in the years ahead. (P2)
