JOINT STATEMENT

Civil Society and Youth Engagement in the Implementation of Just Green Transition Policies and Initiatives at National and Local Levels

We, representatives of civil society organizations including youth in Indonesia are aware of the various challenges faced in achieving the green transition, including the unachievement of greenhouse gas emission reductions in the Enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (ENDC)  target and the high dependence of the Indonesian economy on mineral natural resources including fossils . This challenge potentially extends the climate crisis and threatens the preservation of nature and the environment. In response to this, we, who are concerned about the role of civil society in tackling the climate crisis, support the Indonesian government's commitment to accelerate the green transition, which is also set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this regard, we gathered offline and online in the EU-Indonesia Civil Society Forum on June 27, 2024.

We appreciate the Indonesian government's commitment to the green transition agenda. Based on the latest information, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves) established a National Energy Transition Task Force (TEN) that will lead the acceleration of the implementation of the national energy transition to support the achievement of national targets , such as monitoring the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P), energy sector emission reduction targets contained in ENDC and Net Zero Emission in 2060 or earlier than the targeted year. In addition, the commitment to a just green transition is also included in the SDG agenda, which is further outlined in the Golden Indonesia Vision 2045.

We acknowledge the commitment of the government of Indonesia in implementing the Medium-Term Development Plan 2020-2024, to complement the Long-Term Development Plan 2005-2025 in the goal of achieving prosperity, justice, sustainable development, including in accelerating the green transition . Furthermore, this goal also emphasizes the importance of improving the quality and capacity of civil society organizations and providing mechanisms for meaningful participation processes.

We recognize that civil society, including youth, as stakeholders play an important role in promoting an inclusive, open and just green transition. Civil society and youth contributions may include policy review and advocacy, developing green transition practices in communities, and increasing public knowledge. However, shrinking civic space, unsafe digital spaces, and lack of recognition and support for civil society organizations and human rights defenders are major obstacles. Therefore, the Indonesian government needs to expand and protect civic space, as well as provide greater commitment to the protection of the right to meaningful participation, in order to accelerate a just and inclusive green transition.

Furthermore, it is crucial for the Government of Indonesia to engage and receive the voices of civil society and vulnerable groups, and provide adequate protection for them, especially in advocating for the green transition and the impacts of renewable energy projects. Moreover, sustainable resource support for civil society organizations is also important to be considered by the Government of Indonesia. We believe that strong collaboration between the Indonesian government and civil society is key to achieving a just and inclusive green transition in Indonesia.

We encourage and support the commitment of the Indonesian government and all other stakeholders to:

1. Ensure the active and meaningful participation of civil society organizations, youth, women and other vulnerable groups in a just green transition;

2. Support civil society organizations, youth, universities, and media to continue advocating, educating, and raising public awareness on the importance of a just and sustainable green transition;

3. Increase the capacity of civil society organizations and local governments, both at the provincial and district/city levels, in accelerating a just green transition;

4. Encourage the improvement of policies that shrinking and limiting the space for civil society, including ensuring recognition and protection for civil society organizations and human rights defenders, as well as supporting sustainable resources;

5. Foster multi-stakeholder cooperation and collaboration to mitigate the impacts of the green transition process and realize opportunities, such as green jobs, access to affordable clean energy, and others.  

6. Mobilize youth to promote a just green transition at local, national and regional levels;

7. Encourage collective action to take green transition lessons for energy, FOLU (forest and other land use), marine/coastal, humanitarian issues, and food security with multi-stakeholder engagement strategies; and

8. Ensure inclusive benefits from the green transition including for vulnerable groups.

Jakarta, Juni 27th 2024.

The signatory organizations:

1. Yayasan Penabulu

2. KKI WARSI

3. Yayasan WWF Indonesia

4. Yayasan Penguatan Partisipasi, Inisiatif dan Kemitraan Masyarakat Indonesia (YAPPIKA)

5. Youth Sounding Board – Sahabat Uni Eropa

6. Jejaring Lokadaya

7. ASEAN Youth Forum (AYF)

8. Indonesian Data Journalism Network (IDJN)

9. SEPAHAM Indonesia

10. Yayasan Auriga Nusantara

Contact Person:

- Sardi Winata, Manager Program CoEvolve2, Yayasan Penabulu: sardi.winata@penabulu.id

- Putri Mushandri, Koordinator Program Shoulder to Shoulder, KKI WARSI: putri.mushandri@warsi.or.id

- Riski Muda Farsyah, ECS Program Leader, Yayasan WWF Indonesia: rmfarsyah@wwf.id

- M. Ananto Setiawan, National Programme Coordinator BASIS, YAPPIKA-ActionAid: ananto.setiawan@yappika-actionaid.or.id