Climate change isn’t just a looming threat. It is a present reality that’s increasingly affecting nations worldwide, including Indonesia. Ranking 14th on the Global Climate Risk Index, Indonesia stands out as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change impacts.
Recent data from the Ministry of National Development Planning (PPN/Bappenas) and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reveal that Indonesia faces severe climate challenges. Between 1981 and 2018, the country experienced a yearly temperature increase of 0.03°C and a rise in sea levels of 0.8 to 1.2 cm annually. This is particularly alarming given that 65% of Indonesia’s population resides in coastal areas.
Hendra Gunawan, Director of Energy Conservation at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), emphasized, “According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Indonesia is ranked 14th, indicating our high vulnerability to climate change. As an archipelagic nation, we are indeed very exposed to the risks and impacts of climate change.”
Hendra pointed out that the World Energy Council identifies five primary energy sources in Indonesia. To address these pressing issues, Indonesia must ensure a balance between energy security, equity, and environmental sustainability.
“We are currently ranked 58th out of 126 countries. This positioning suggests we are in the middle tier, and we need to enhance our efforts to improve our index,” he added.
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In its commitment to global climate action, Indonesia has joined the Paris Agreement, which aims to restrict global temperature rise to well below 2°C, with efforts to limit it further to 1.5°C. “Besides ratifying the Paris Agreement, Indonesia has set national targets such as the Enhanced NDC (E-NDC) and Net-Zero Emission (NZE) goals,” Hendra explained.
Energy efficiency plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change. “We are tasked with reducing emissions by 358 million tons of carbon equivalent by 2030. The first step is achieving a 37% improvement in energy efficiency. Thus, it is vital not to overlook the importance of energy efficiency,” Hendra stressed.
Key actions to enhance energy efficiency include better energy management, upgrading household appliances, implementing energy-efficient street lighting, and promoting electric vehicle adoption.
