On July 21st of this year, Indonesia, the world's eighth-largest greenhouse gas emitter, submitted an updated national climate pledge to the United Nations, announcing its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060 (or earlier). However, NGOs pointed out that Indonesia's emissions reduction pledge remains the same as its 2016 target, lacking ambition and failing to meet the Paris Agreement. NGOs praised Indonesia's submission of its first long-term strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060 as a step in the right direction. While Indonesia's report included new adaptation and resilience targets, as well as new targets for specific sectors, the key emissions reduction target remained unchanged from its 2016 commitment: a 29% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to a business-as-usual scenario, or a 41% reduction with sufficient international financial support. In addition to its updated climate pledge, Indonesia also submitted its first Long-Term Strategy for Low Carbon and Climate Resilience, announcing its emissions peak in 2030 and its goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060 or earlier. In fact, until March of this year, Indonesian government officials had stated they would achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. This officially submitted target brings forward the target by at least ten years. At the end of July, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Pandjaitan, expressed optimism that Indonesia could achieve net-zero carbon emissions within 50 years. He said, "We previously set the target at 2070, but after in-depth discussions with US Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry, we moved it forward to 2060 or earlier." Tjokorda Nirarta Samadhi, Director of the World Resources Institute's Indonesia Office, praised Indonesia's first-ever long-term strategy as "an important and directionally correct transformation, a significant step towards climate economic benefits for Indonesia." Indonesia is not only the world's eighth-largest greenhouse gas emitter but also has the second-fastest economic growth. Therefore, Tjokorda Nirarta Samadhi stated that Indonesia has a significant opportunity to boost economic growth, reduce the deficit, create jobs, and improve air and water quality through bold climate action. Carbon reduction targets remain low, NGOs worry it will be difficult to achieve the Paris Agreement. However, Tjokorda Nirarta Samadhi also pointed out that Indonesia's carbon reduction targets, unchanged from the 2016 version, do not raise ambition, and "make it difficult to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement." According to a 2019 study by Indonesia's Ministry of Development Planning, compared to a business-as-usual scenario, Indonesia could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 (exceeding Indonesia's current climate commitments), achieve an average annual GDP growth of 6% by 2045, and create 15 million new jobs. Tjokorda Nirarta Samadhi pointed out that if Indonesia sticks to its current growth path and only achieves the lower end of its climate targets, GDP growth could fall by 0.5% annually by 2030 and by 1% by 2045. How can a major coal-burning country reduce emissions? The Indonesian government says it will install carbon capture technology. As the world's largest coal exporter, Indonesia currently derives 60% of its energy from coal. According to Luhut's report at the end of July, the Indonesian government plans to stop using coal, oil and gas by 2060, and expects 85% of energy demand to be supplied by renewable energy, and the rest by nuclear energy. Luhut said that Indonesia is also studying the application of energy storage and hydrogen fuel cell technology. The long-term strategy submitted by Indonesia this time lists three carbon reduction paths, the most ambitious of which is a "low carbon scenario compatible with the Paris Agreement", which means reaching peak emissions in 2030 and achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2060 or earlier. However, even under this scenario, the use of coal will continue to grow until at least 2050. Source: Environmental Information Center
