Publications
Evidence with a purpose.
Reports, policy briefs, press releases, books, and public commentaries in one searchable archive.
10 guiding principles for financing coal retirement
Reclaim Finance, with support from CELIOS, BankTrack, and various CSOs from Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa, released “Ten Guiding Principles for Financing Coal Retirement Mechanisms.” These principles aim to ensure that the early retirement of coal-fired power plants aligns with 1.5°C global warming pathways, prioritizes renewable energy, avoids false carbon solutions, secures concessional financing for developing countries, and protects communities affected by coal plant closures. They empha…
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CSO responses to the JETP CIPP
The CSO coalition considers the JETP CIPP document half-hearted in its support for a just energy transition. CELIOS Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira emphasized, “Some of the coal-fired power plants slated for early retirement, namely PLTU Cirebon-1, are already part of the ETM scheme. So it seems there is no intention to actually shut down coal-fired power plants. The JETP is unclear: the initial plan to retire coal-fired power plants is simply not being pursued seriously.” Leonard Simanjuntak from Greenpeace added that the document…
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CSO white paper on the JETP plan
Jakarta, 26 October 2023— Civil society launched a white paper in response to the planned JETP investment document in Indonesia, highlighting issues of justice, governance, and implementation. CELIOS Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira emphasized, “The point is to create more fiscal space and shift incentives that have so far benefited extractive and fossil fuel companies toward supporting the energy transition.” Bhima also stressed the importance of regional governments’ role in a just energy transition: “Local govern...
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Research finds that PLTU early retirement plans do not involve local governments
Opinion article by Muhammad Saleh, published in The Conversation.
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Evaluation of Jokowi’s Fiscal Legacy for the Future Government
CELIOS published the report “Jokowi’s Fiscal Legacy: Notes for Future Government” in February 2023 to assess Indonesia’s fiscal condition over President Joko Widodo’s two terms and the implications of fiscal reform for the future economy. The report highlights several key issues: the tax ratio has declined since 2015, tax incentives such as Tax Holidays could reduce state revenue, external debt rose by 44% from 2014–2021, and budget allocations have been used more to repay d—
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Green industrial area infected by coal power plant: Economic impacts, conflicts of interest, and environmental threats
The construction of coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) in the North Kalimantan Green Industrial Zone (KIHI) is projected to cause negative economic impacts, including an output loss of Rp3.93 trillion, a decline in community income of Rp3.68 trillion, and losses of Rp51.5 billion in the fisheries sector. “Companies behind investment in coal-fired power plants need to urgently consider terminating any contracts or purchase agreements while the plants continue to be built,” said Bhima Yudhistira, Executive Director of CELIOS.
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National survey: energy transition expectations for the 2024 presidential candidates
This study explored Indonesian public perceptions of the climate crisis, the role of government, presidential candidates’ commitments, and the role of mass media. The findings show that 81% of the public agree that the government should declare a climate emergency, with the highest support in urban areas and among people aged 15–34. However, 60% believe the government has yet to formulate policies to prevent the climate crisis. The online media outlets most active in covering environmental issues are CNN Indonesia and Seputar Indonesia (
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Mapping the interactions of three 2024 Indonesian presidential candidates with China
Jakarta, August 4, 2023—Ahead of the 2024 election, CELIOS highlighted the interactions of the three presidential candidates with China. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Director of China-Indonesia Studies at CELIOS, stated, “Compared with Anies, Ganjar and Prabowo have more interactions with China.” Prabowo frequently meets with senior Chinese officials to discuss defense partnerships, while Ganjar has signed various regional cooperation agreements with China. Meanwhile, Anies has focused more on building relations with the United States and
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Impact of coal-fired power plant closures on local communities: workers, SMEs, and regional revenue
Jakarta, 18 July 2023— CELIOS and Yayasan Indonesia CERAH highlighted the importance of local government involvement in the launch of JETP. Bhima Yudhistira, CELIOS Director, stated, “For example, around 4,666 direct workers, both permanent and non-permanent, will be affected by the closure of coal-fired power plants in Langkat, Cilacap, and Probolinggo. This does not yet include indirect workers, namely MSME operators around the power plant sites, as well as workers at coal source locations.” Muhamm
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Public opinion survey on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP)
The USD 20 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) funding commitment faces challenges due to low public awareness. A CELIOS survey of 1,245 respondents found that “public understanding of JETP is still very low and tends to be concentrated in certain regions and economic classes,” said Bhima Yudhistira. JETP is better understood in Bali, while communities affected by coal-fired power plants (PLTU) should be able to participate actively before the launch of the Comprehensive Inv
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China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Indonesia: how to avoid low investment quality and debt traps?
Jakarta, June 15, 2023— China’s investments in developing countries, including Indonesia, through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have come under intense scrutiny. CELIOS researcher Yeta Purnama stated, “In nickel downstreaming and smelting, coal-fired power plants are still widely used, and their carbon emissions pose a serious danger to communities around smelter sites. This contradicts President Xi’s commitment to halt all new investments in coal-fired power plants outside China.”
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Press release: efforts to attract green investment hindered by coal-fired power plants in industrial zones
Jakarta—In front of German investors at the opening of Hannover Messe in mid-April 2023, President Jokowi stated that all coal-fired power plants (PLTUs) would be closed by 2025, a date later clarified as 2050. Despite this revision, the government still permits the construction of captive coal-fired power plants in the Indonesia Green Industrial Park (KIHI). As an illustration, the KIHI project will be located in three villages (Tanah Kuning, Mangkupadi, and Binai) in Bulungan Regency
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