Publications
Evidence with a purpose.
Reports, policy briefs, press releases, books, and public commentary in one searchable archive.
Toxic twenty: Unmasking Indonesia’s most toxic coal fired power plants
Jakarta, November 4th, 2025 - Indonesia risks 156,000 premature deaths and USD 109 billion (IDR 1.813 quadrillion) in economic losses from the cumulative operation of the country’s 20 most dangerous coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) through 2050, according to a new report released today by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Celios, and Trend Asia. The report, titled “ Toxic Twenty: Unmasking Indonesia’s Most Toxic Coal Fired Power Plants, ” highlights the severe health, envir
Read publication
What are the potential impacts of climate change on population health in Indonesia?
The latest CELIOS study, “Potential Impacts of Climate Change on the Health of Indonesia’s Population,” reveals that climate change is likely to increase a wide range of health problems, including heat-related illnesses, respiratory disorders, heightened risks of malaria and dengue fever, as well as cardiovascular diseases and mental health issues. Our findings show that rising temperatures, ecosystem disruptions, and more frequent natural disasters can expand disease distribution, reduce produ
Read publication
Second Nationally Determined Contribution (SNDC): in pursuit of 8% economic growth, environmental protection and vulnerable groups are overlooked
Jakarta, October 24, 2025 — The government has just released the draft of the Second Nationally Determined Contribution (SNDC), which is planned for submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ahead of COP 30 this November in Brazil. During a public consultation session held by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, officials acknowledged that the delay in submitting the SNDC document was due to difficulties in aligning targets across sectors. In fact, unde
Read publication
Survey: Prabowo–Gibran’s 1-Year Performance Report Card
One Year of Prabowo–Gibran: A Failing Grade from the Public CELIOS has released the results of its One-Year Performance Evaluation of the Prabowo–Gibran Government, assessing program achievements, leadership, budget governance, policy communication, and law enforcement. The evaluation was conducted through a panel survey of 120 journalists from 60 national media outlets and a public survey of 1,338 respondents across Indonesia. The results show failing grades in nearly every sector. Prabowo Subianto scored 3 out of 10, Gibran
Read publication
IEU-CEPA: transition toward an anti-deforestation and low-carbon regime
The signing of the Indonesia–European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) on September 23, 2025, marks a strategic milestone for Indonesia’s non-oil and gas exports to access the European market starting in 2027. However, beyond its economic prospects, this agreement also signifies the beginning of a new phase of regulatory and governance reform. Under the agreement, Indonesia must align its domestic policies with two major EU frameworks: the EU Deforestation Regulation
Read publication
The economic diversification potential of North Maluku Province
Since 2020, North Maluku has become the center of the Indonesian government’s ambitions in nickel mining and downstream processing. The impact has been significant: on paper, the province has recorded double-digit economic growth since 2021. Even in 2022 and 2023, amid the pressures of COVID-19, growth still exceeded 20%. While these figures look impressive, excessive reliance on nickel poses serious risks to the local economy and the environment. Nickel is a finite resource, with prices and demand
Read publication
The economic diversification potential of Konawe: moving beyond the extractive development model
Although the nickel boom has driven extraordinary economic growth in Southeast Sulawesi—particularly in Konawe Regency—this is by no means a recipe for sustainable development. Sole reliance on nickel leaves Konawe’s future vulnerable on multiple fronts. Nickel is a non-renewable resource, and its price is heavily affected by volatility in international markets. Moreover, excessive exploitation can cause serious environmental damage,
Read publication
Morowali's economic diversification potential for non-mining products
The RPJPN 2025–2045 has emphasized the importance of promoting sustainable economic growth at both the provincial and regency levels. For Morowali, this mandate underscores the urgent need to move away from an economy that is overly dependent on nickel mining and processing. The regency needs a more resilient economic model—one that can ensure long-term prosperity while preserving the environment. In this report, CELIOS designs several diversification
Read publication
Plan to modify World Heritage forest boundaries for geothermal: a new threat to forests, communities, and Indonesia’s reputation
Jakarta, 22 September 2025 – The government, through the Ministry of Forestry, plans to modify the boundary of the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (TRHS) via UNESCO, in order to build a 5 GW Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) in Suoh and Sekincau, West Lampung. This move marks a major setback in tropical forest conservation efforts and undermines Indonesia’s environmental diplomacy reputation, particularly in the lead-up to COP30 in Brazil. UNESCO World Heritage Potential The 2.5 million-he
Read publication
Behind the green curtain: unpacking greenwashing in Indonesia’s China-backed investments
China often markets “green” investment as a branding strategy under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Yet behind the sustainability slogans lies a question: what narratives are actually being promoted in Indonesia? This report examines the background and context of Chinese investment, explains the practice of greenwashing, and highlights the negative impacts that have emerged. By examining the narratives, key actors, and policy gaps, the report seeks to reveal the realities behind the green labels that are often…
Read publication
Indonesian banks disburse USD7.2 billion for coal industry
The #BersihkanBankmu Coalition released its latest report, titled “Funding the Climate Crisis: How Banks in Indonesia Support Coal Financing,” highlighting the (still) strong financial support for coal companies. The report reveals that the five largest national banks provided USD5.6 billion of the total USD7.2 billion in financing. Bank Mandiri was the largest financier with USD3.2 billion, followed by Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) with USD809.5 million, Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) USD
Read publication
Indonesia's accession to the OECD: a recommendation to improve the Indonesian regulatory and institutional framework in the energy and environmental sector
Indonesia’s efforts to join the OECD offer a strategic opportunity to align environmental and energy governance with international standards. This collaborative report by CELIOS and ICEL highlights several regulatory gaps that hinder a just and sustainable transition, particularly in environmental assessments, energy pricing, transparency, governance, and climate finance. The report’s findings show that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process remains e
Read publication