BRAZIL — A delegation of Indonesian renewable energy advocates met with Indonesian Ambassador to Brazil Edi Yusup on Saturday as part of "Renew Our Power," a gathering of 200+ changemakers ahead of the COP30 UN climate talks scheduled for November in Belém, Brazil.
During their visit to Brazil, the Indonesian delegation shared success stories of community-driven renewable energy projects in Indonesia and emphasized the need for more ambitious climate commitments.
Suriadi Darmoko, Field Organizer of 350.org Indonesia, emphasized the country's untapped renewable energy potential while highlighting ongoing energy access challenges. “We need COP30 to ensure the rapid, fully funded, and equitable transition to renewable energy by tripling global capacity by 2030, ending fossil fuel use and exploitative practices, and protecting communities through inclusive, rights-based approaches,” he said.
Darmoko emphasized that many areas are still without adequate electricity. “With the enormous potential for renewable energy, it is very important for Indonesia to prioritize the use of renewable energy as the main choice for its energy needs. Our dependence on dirty fossil energy is currently very high, with only 14.1 percent of the energy mix coming from renewable energy. Indonesia should ensure that its G20 commitment to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 is reflected in its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which it plans to submit before COP 30. Tripling renewable energy capacity can easily be achieved by involving communities in its generation.”
350.org Indonesia’s RESolusi campaign encourages community-based RE projects such as the solar installation at SMA Muhammadiyah 4 Bengkulu school, which was funded through small public donations. With contributions from 400 donors, the school raised 80 million rupiah to install solar panels that now power its computer lab and security systems.
"This model can be replicated across Indonesia's 1,400+ Muhammadiyah schools alone, which would significantly contribute to our energy transition and climate action efforts," said Sutanpri from SMA Muhammadiyah 4 Bengkulu. "We are working toward a future where our entire learning process relies on renewable energy rather than fossil fuels."
Ambassador Yusup affirmed that "electricity is the gateway to people’s economic development" and cited South Korea's economic transformation since the 1970s, facilitated by accessible and affordable electricity. He encouraged young Indonesians to continue their renewable energy initiatives and suggested Indonesia could exchange learnings with Brazil in successful renewable energy models.
Ahead of COP30, the 350.org Indonesia also called for the following:
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Indonesia should commit to an ambitious 2035 emissions reduction target and strengthen its 2030 target to align with its 2060 - and potentially faster - net zero goal.
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Indonesia must align national energy commitments in their updated NDC and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) Comprehensive Investment and Policy Plan ensuring a tripling of renewable energy alongside a detailed and faster fossil phase out plan.
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Indigenous and local community leaders must have equal power, voice, and presence alongside world leaders at COP30 to ensure just, inclusive, and effective climate governance.
"As a leader of Southeast Asia, Indonesia has an opportunity to lead by example. We hope that it can positively respond to Brazil President Lula’s call for ambitious climate action across BRICS with clear commitments to tripling renewable energy and ensuring a just, and equitable fossil fuel phase out,” Darmoko added.
Renew Our Power is a global initiative bringing together community-based renewable energy activists from the Global South. Shortly before the gathering, indigenous leaders handed in a civil society letter to COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago, emphasizing demands for the end of fossil fuels and a just energy transition.
