Indonesia towards the Green New Deal

Indonesia is the largest coal exporter in the world throughout 2020. Based on data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), was recorded Indonesia exports 405 million tons to the global market. Sure it makes a profit for our country but coal is a non-renewable fuel. Not to mention the price paid for clearing palm oil fields, such as deforestation. If we keep going on this path it’ll bring us to a slippery slope that soon-to-be a catastrophic event.

We need a solution that gives every party involve a win-win resolution. A win for the economic growth, a win for the environment, a win to provide job field for the people, and most of all renewable and sustainable energy. We need Green New Deal.

What is exactly Green New Deal? 

Green New Deal (GND) has been used to describe various sets of policies that aim to make systemic change. It is proposals that call for public policy to address climate change along with achieving other social aims like job creation and reducing economic inequality. The term itself was introduced back in January 2007 by Thomas Friedman, a Pulitzer-price winner.

The name itself was a combination of Green which means, renewable energy, and resource efficiency. And New Deal was a set of social and economic reforms and public works projects undertaken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression.

Indonesia’s Green New Deal

In general, Indonesia itself does not yet have a green new deal. however, there are several commitments made by the government which can be said to have the same aspirations as the Green New Deal. For example are Low Carbon Development Initiative, the proposal that was developed by the Indonesian Ministry of National Development Planning. the proposal involves carbon pricing mechanisms, an abolition of deforestation, and zero-carbon transport. This 25-year strategy aims towards a ‘Golden Indonesia’ in 2045.

With President Joko Widodo’s efforts in establishing carbon prices, declaring Bali as a clean energy province, as well as significant reductions in deforestation, makes Green New Deal not just a dream. but something Indonesia can achieve. Indonesia also has considerable potential in the development of alternative energy, such as solar and wind power energy base. It could be that Indonesia is the largest coal exporter country but the initiative for low-carbon development are small steps in achieving a green new deal.