Publications
Evidence with a purpose.
Reports, policy briefs, press releases, books, and public commentary in one searchable archive.
CELIOS x CREA: economic and health impact of nickel processing industry
Jakarta, 20 February 2024— Global demand for nickel is rising alongside the growing popularity of electric cars. To increase state revenues by exporting only processed nickel, President Joko Widodo banned the export of nickel ore in 2020. Nickel downstreaming is now an important issue for Indonesia amid the election year. The ban on nickel ore exports and the increase in domestic processing have raised the value of nickel exports from USD 4 billion in 2017 to USD 34 billion in
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The economic impact of early retirement of coal-fired power plants
A study by Yayasan Indonesia CERAH and CELIOS found that the early retirement of coal-fired power plants (PLTUs), replaced by renewable energy plants, is more economically beneficial. Bhima Yudhistira, CELIOS Executive Director, stated, “The scenario of retiring coal-fired PLTUs alongside the development of renewable energy plants could contribute IDR 82.6 trillion to the economy, create 639,000 jobs, and reduce poverty by 153,755 people nationwide.” Agung Budiono from CERAH added, “Between early retirement
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Recommendations for Indonesia's sustainable taxonomy
The energy transition requires long-term financing support, so financial industry regulations must evolve to promote financing for green and sustainable sectors. The green taxonomy is one step toward achieving this goal. The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has issued the Green Taxonomy as a guide for the financial industry to classify green financing. This guide is expected to create transparency and monitor green financing commitments, which can subse
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Indonesia's energy transition readiness index
The readiness of Indonesian regions to transition from high-carbon energy to renewable energy remains uneven. CELIOS’ study, “Indonesia's Energy Transition Readiness Index,” found that “90% of provinces in Indonesia are not adequately prepared, with around 70% (24 provinces) at medium readiness and 20% (7 provinces) at low readiness,” said Media Wahyudi Askar, CELIOS Director of Public Policy. Regional readiness is influenced by per capita energy consumption, women’s involvement, and levels of climate and energy vulnerability.
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The positive effects of the green economy transition on economic indicators
Jakarta, December 19, 2023— The transition to a green economy is expected to have a significant impact on Indonesia, contributing up to IDR 2,943 trillion to GDP over the next 10 years and creating up to 19.4 million new jobs. A study by CELIOS and Greenpeace Indonesia shows that this transformation could also increase worker income by up to IDR 902.2 trillion and reduce inequality between provinces. CELIOS Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira emphasized the role of the government and private sector in supporting
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10 guiding principles for financing coal retirement
Reclaim Finance, with the support of 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 is aligned 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 emphasiz
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CIPP JETP responses from CSO
The CSO coalition considers the CIPP JETP document half-hearted in its support for a just energy transition. CELIOS Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira emphasized, “Some coal-fired power plants (PLTU) slated for early retirement, namely PLTU Cirebon-1, are already included in the ETM scheme. So it seems there is no real intention to actually close coal-fired power plants. JETP is unclear; the original plan to retire coal-fired power plants is simply not being pursued seriously.” Leonard Simanjuntak from Greenpeace added that the docume
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CSO white paper on the JETP plan
Jakarta, 26 October 2023— Civil society launched a white paper in response to Indonesia’s planned JETP investment document, 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 local government’s role in a just energy transition: “Local g
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Evaluation of Jokowi’s fiscal legacy for the next government
CELIOS published the report "Jokowi's Fiscal Legacy: Notes for Future Government" in February 2023 to assess Indonesia’s fiscal condition during President Joko Widodo’s two terms in office 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 44% from 2014–2021, and a larger share of the budget was allocated to debt repayment than to productive investment. State-owned enterprise-based infrastructure megaprojects are also considered likely to strain the state budget in the future.
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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 have negative economic impacts, including Rp3.93 trillion in output losses, a Rp3.68 trillion decline in community income, and Rp51.5 billion in losses to the fisheries sector. “Companies behind the investment in coal-fired power plants need to promptly consider terminating any contracts or purchase agreements for as long as construction of the coal-fired power plants continues,” 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 strongest 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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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 actively involved before the launch of the Comprehensive Inv
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