Yogyakarta, August 12, 2024 – Amid the weakening political commitment of the Indonesian government to energy and climate transition, Climate Rangers, together with 350 Indonesia, launched the [RE]Solusi campaign. This campaign promotes community-based renewable energy as a solution for Indonesia’s energy transition. Indonesia has a renewable energy potential of 3,686 gigawatts, yet only 12.7 gigawatts have been utilized. Additionally, community-based renewable energy can boost regional economies. “Research from Celios and 350.org shows that financing community-based renewable energy could contribute up to Rp745 trillion annually to GDP. The government needs to consider this approach, which is not only environmentally friendly but also empowers local communities, rather than continuing to push for extractive industries like coal mining that harm the environment and climate,” said Ginanjar Ariyasuta, Coordinator of Climate Rangers Jakarta.
In Yogyakarta and Bali, Climate Rangers is encouraging tourist villages to pioneer the energy transition. “Integrating the tourism sector with community-based renewable energy is a strategic step to ensure the sustainability of tourist destinations in Indonesia. This move not only strengthens Indonesia’s image in energy transition efforts but also reaffirms its commitment to local community empowerment. By shifting away from fossil fuels, Indonesian tourism can become greener and more sustainable, supporting a cleaner and more environmentally friendly economy,” explained Arami Kasih, Coordinator of Climate Rangers Yogyakarta. “Yogyakarta and Bali alone have a total of 462 tourist villages rich in renewable energy potential, which must be utilized. ‘Green’ tourism will undoubtedly add significant value to Indonesia’s tourism sector, attracting global tourists in an increasingly competitive global tourism climate.”
In Cirebon and North Sumatra, Climate Rangers is pushing for energy transitions in Islamic boarding schools (Pondok Pesantren). According to 2022 data from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, there are over 39,000 Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia, with 700 located in Cirebon. “The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Fatwa No. 86 of 2023 calls on Muslims to strive to reduce emissions and transition to renewable energy to preserve the environment. Encouraging Islamic boarding schools to lead in renewable energy transitions is a strategic step to demonstrate that Islamic values align with environmental conservation,” said Tubagus Asad Muhajir of Climate Rangers Cirebon.
In Jakarta, Climate Rangers is advocating for an energy transition in the transportation sector by replacing Transjakarta buses with solar-powered buses. As the economic center of Indonesia, Jakarta should be at the forefront of energy transition ambitions. Moreover, Jakarta has a climate commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with a regional renewable energy mix target of 45% by 2030. “As the city with the highest emissions contribution in Indonesia, Jakarta must step up its efforts in energy transition. A single solar-powered bus has the potential to reduce approximately 3-9 tons of carbon emissions and increase the renewable energy mix by 1-2 MW annually. This can contribute to achieving Jakarta’s solar power target of 200 MW by 2050,” explained Fadilla Miftahul of Climate Rangers Jakarta.
“Currently, the government is struggling to meet its renewable energy mix targets, as evidenced by the reduction of the target from 23% to 17-19%. Specifically, in the electricity sector, the government could open opportunities for the public to participate in generating electricity from renewable energy. This youth initiative is a push for the government to maintain ambitious energy transition targets by opening avenues for public participation to achieve them,” emphasized Suriadi Darmoko, Field Organizer of 350 Indonesia. Moko added, “Community-based renewable energy initiatives need support through both regulation and funding.”
With the launch of the [RE]Solusi campaign, Climate Rangers and 350 Indonesia underscore the importance of community-based renewable energy in Indonesia’s energy transition journey. This campaign aims not only to harness Indonesia’s vast renewable energy potential but also to empower local communities and support regional economies. With strong government support, appropriate regulations, and adequate funding, this initiative can be a significant step toward achieving more ambitious energy transition targets.
