Jakarta, Friday, November 3, 2023 – “At the beginning of November, young people in various cities across Indonesia are holding the Power Up action to urge 2024 presidential candidates to declare strong commitments to addressing the climate crisis and energy transition,” said Ginanjar Ariyasuta, Coordinator of Climate Rangers Jakarta. “The commitments of each presidential candidate are still not serious enough in tackling the climate crisis.” In Indonesia, the Power Up action is taking place in 19 cities across the country. “The Power Up Indonesia alliance is supported by 62 civil society organizations and youth communities in Indonesia,” he explained.
Power Up is a global youth-led action held simultaneously worldwide, urging governments to seriously pursue a just transition to 100% renewable energy. In Indonesia, the Power Up action coincides with the political events of the legislative and presidential elections. As a result, young people in various cities are organizing *Power Up* actions to demand serious commitments from the 2024 presidential candidates regarding the climate crisis and energy transition.
According to Feby from Ranita UIN Jakarta, although the climate crisis and energy transition are included in the vision and mission statements of the presidential candidates, they are still surrounded by individuals linked to the fossil fuel industry. “The fact that the candidates’ inner circles are still filled with people tied to the fossil fuel industry makes young people doubt their commitment to addressing the climate crisis in their vision and mission,” she said. “The Power Up movement is urging them to demonstrate serious commitment, not just lip service, by ensuring that individuals connected to the fossil fuel industry are not part of their national campaign teams.”
Taffi, Coordinator of the Socio-Political Division of the University of Indonesia Student Executive Board (BEM UI), added that one way to show serious commitment to addressing the climate crisis is for the presidential candidates to refuse campaign funding from individuals or companies linked to fossil fuels. “Their commitment to a just climate crisis response and energy transition is questionable if they continue to accept funding from the fossil fuel sector,” he emphasized.
The Power Up action serves as a reminder to all presidential candidates that the younger generation is watching and will hold them accountable for their commitments to a sustainable and just energy transition.
