Full Breakdown
Indonesia's Climate Commitment: The Need for Ambitious Emission Reduction Targets
10/20/2025, 7:53:57 PM
Current Climate Challenges in Indonesia
As of October 20, 2025, Indonesia is experiencing heightened temperatures and weather anomalies, exacerbated by rising global greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations. The Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) has called on the Indonesian government to establish more ambitious emission reduction targets in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 document. This document is crucial for Indonesia's commitment to mitigating climate change and should be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) before the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP) 30 in November 2025.
Key Developments in NDC 3.0
The draft NDC 3.0 reflects some progress, including an increased emission reduction target compared to the Enhanced NDC (ENDC) and a shift in the baseline to the 2019 emission reference level. It also expands the scope of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) greenhouse gases and introduces a zero-waste target by 2040. However, IESR's CEO, Fabby Tumiwa, criticized the draft for not aligning with the Paris Agreement's goals, stating that both conditional and unconditional targets permit emissions to rise until mid-century, delaying significant reductions until after 2035.
Recommendations for Emission Reductions
IESR has outlined several strategic recommendations to achieve more ambitious targets. These include:
1. Early retirement of inefficient coal-fired power plants (CFPPs), with a potential phase-out of 9 GW by 2030-2035.
2. Reforming fossil fuel subsidies to promote efficient energy use.
3. Accelerating energy efficiency and conservation through standardization and funding access.
4. Committing to the Global Methane Pledge, aiming for a 30% reduction in methane emissions by 2030.
Criticism of Current Policies
Despite the advancements in the draft NDC 3.0, critics argue that the government's approach remains insufficient. The delayed action until after 2035 could incur significant economic costs and hinder Indonesia's ambition to achieve consistent economic growth necessary for the Golden Indonesia 2045 target.
Official Statements and Responses
IESR emphasizes the importance of a robust carbon market safeguard system to ensure integrity and credibility. The organization advocates for transparency to prevent potential carbon fraud, which is essential for building trust among market participants.
Broader Implications
The urgency for Indonesia to adopt more stringent climate policies is underscored by the global context of climate finance. An estimated US$5 trillion annually is required to meet the Paris Agreement goals, with many countries struggling to secure necessary investments. The role of foreign direct investment, particularly from China, is highlighted as a potential avenue for financing Indonesia's green transition.
Conclusion
Indonesia's NDC 3.0 draft represents a critical step in addressing climate change, but the current targets and actions are deemed inadequate by experts. The government is urged to adopt more ambitious emission reduction strategies to align with global climate goals and ensure sustainable economic growth.
