Indonesia Elections 2024: Presidential candidates’ climate pledges vague, possibly counter-productive, activists say

DOWNSTREAMING AND NBSP’S SIDES,

Both the Prabowo-Gibran and Ganjar-Mahfud reservations have pledged to continue the nation’s efforts to play a significant role in the development of electric vehicle batteries.

With an estimated 21 million kilograms, Indonesia has the largest metal supply in the world. During his tenure, Jokowi has increased the mining and processing of copper ore to meet international need.

Both parties have pledged to improve Jokowi’s downstreaming strategy by processing vitamins domestically as opposed to exporting them to other industries in their natural form.

However, activists point out that Jokowi’s downstreaming coverage has resulted in the construction of numerous coal-fired power plants to supply power-hungry smelters and mining operations, not to mention extensive forest and pollution.

According to Mr. Fanny Tri Jambore, campaign manager at the non-profit organization Indonesian Forum for the Environment ( Walhi), “downstreaming is producing carbon on a massive scale.”

On the other hand, the Anies-Muhaimin squad has pledged in its statement to strike a balance between economic growth and environmental protection. By defending vulnerable but poor communities from the effects of climate change, they vowed to” environment justice.”

However, activists claimed that they have not offered any additional information on how to turn this concept into workable laws.

According to Mr. Leonard of Greenpeace, Indonesia needs a president who can follow through on climate change commitments.

He said, referring to the yearly climate talks known as Conference of the Parties, which examine how countries are carrying out their targets,” The world is watching whether Indonesia can meet its own objectives delivered during COP, especially since so many countries are providing or promising grants and loans for Indonesia to satisfy those goals.”

Nine nations, including Denmark and Norway, who are all part of the Group of Seven ( G7 ), have agreed to lend US$ 20 billion to Indonesia’s decarbonization efforts under the Just Energy Transition Partnership.

” We need ( Indonesia’s next leader ) to have more ambitious and tangible plans for protecting the environment and switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy.” We require more than just rhetoric, Mr. Leonard said.