Publications
Evidence with a purpose.
Reports, policy briefs, press releases, books, and public commentary in one searchable archive.
Leveraging the London Metal Exchange: turning Indonesia’s minerals into premium low carbon assets
As Indonesia solidifies its position as the epicenter of the global critical minerals landscape, new challenges have emerged in ensuring that our mineral wealth translates into fair, resilient, and sustainable economic value. While downstreaming policies have successfully increased domestic refining capacity, the market volatility experienced throughout 2025 and early 2026—marked by production halts in several RKEF lines—underscores the urgent need for a more robust global pricing and diversific
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Why food estates are not the answer for food and energy security
A new CELIOS report reveals that the Merauke food estate and bioethanol program could cost more than US$11 billion, while posing major risks to forests, local communities, and public governance. The study argues that Indonesia should prioritize cleaner, more cost-effective pathways to strengthen long-term food and energy resilience. CELIOS-Food Estate Not The Answer April 2026 Download
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2026 village energy transition readiness index
CELIOS, in collaboration with Greenpeace, has released the 2026 Village Energy Transition Readiness Index report. It shows that villages in Indonesia continue to face structural challenges and significant regional disparities in their readiness to drive the clean energy transition. This study measures the readiness of villages and urban wards (kelurahan) for the energy transition across three main dimensions: clean energy initiatives, economic resilience, and village governance capacity.
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Amicus curiae by CELIOS – Administrative Court of Kupang
The Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) has submitted an amicus curiae brief in Case Number 26/G/TF/PTUN.KPG on behalf of Agustinus Tuju, an Indigenous community leader from Poco Leok, in a case concerning opposition to the geothermal development project against the Regent of Manggarai before the Administrative Court of Kupang. This legal opinion is presented to strengthen the protection of constitutional rights, particularly the freedom of peaceful expression and the rights of Indigenous communities
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The New Development Bank and the road to better safeguards for communities and a just transition
The New Development Bank (NDB) plays an increasingly strategic role in financing infrastructure and climate-related projects across developing countries, positioning itself as a key actor in advancing sustainable development and a just energy transition. As NDB’s portfolio expands, this report underscores the growing importance of strong social and environmental safeguard frameworks to protect affected communities and ecosystems. Drawing on comparative policy analysis and institutional assessmen
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Annual China–Indonesia survey: insights into Indonesian perceptions of China 2025
The China–Indonesia Survey 2025, conducted by CELIOS, provides a comprehensive overview of Indonesian public perceptions of China amid growing bilateral engagement. The survey examines key areas including the economy, politics, technology, education, security, and the energy transition, as well as public views on President Prabowo’s closeness to China and its implications for diplomacy, national sovereignty, and global positioning. Key findings show a broadly positive outlook, with 66% of re
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Meals (not) nutritious (not) free
When (Not) Nutritious (Not) Free Meals The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) has been touted as a flagship program of the Prabowo-Gibran administration. The government, through Bappenas, has identified 4 main objectives for MBG. These include meeting the nutritional needs of vulnerable groups. The program is also intended to improve the quality of education. MBG is expected to stimulate local economies. The program is also claimed to be capable of creating jobs. President Prabowo Subianto has repeatedly said that MBG is the provi…
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Urgent call for a new model for business, human rights, and environmental assessment
Sustainability instruments in Indonesia—such as PROPER, PRISMA, Norma 100, TKBI, and LKPM—remain fragmented, voluntary, lack field verification, and do not disclose results to the public. As a result, companies can engage in partial compliance without addressing real human rights and environmental harms on the ground. The CELIOS & PUSHAM UII study reveals that: 4 out of 5 national instruments are voluntary and unverified. Major conflicts in the LQ45 energy sector include environmental polluti
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2025 Indonesia-MENA energy transition cooperation: progress, prospects, and recommendations
Cooperation between Indonesia and countries in the Middle East–North Africa (MENA) region gained renewed strategic significance in 2025, as both regions confronted shared challenges related to energy security, economic diversification, and climate change. With global energy markets undergoing rapid transformation driven by stronger commitments to decarbonisation and the accelerated adoption of clean energy technologies, Indonesia and its MENA partners increasingly recognise the urgency of reposi
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Economic losses from the Sumatra flood disaster
Celios Study Findings: Economic Losses from the Sumatra Flood Disaster 🗣️The ecological disaster in Sumatra in November 2025 is projected to have caused economic losses of Rp68.67 trillion. This figure includes damage to residents’ homes, loss of household income, damage to road and bridge infrastructure, and lost agricultural production from farmland inundated by floods and landslides. 🗣️Specifically, Aceh Province is projected to have suffered losses of Rp2.2 trillion. North Sumatra is projected
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Toxic twenty: Unmasking Indonesia’s most toxic coal fired power plants
Jakarta, November 4th, 2025 - Indonesia risks 156,000 premature deaths and USD 109 billion (IDR 1.813 quadrillion) in economic losses from the cumulative operation of the country’s 20 most dangerous coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) through 2050, according to a new report released today by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Celios, and Trend Asia. The report, titled “ Toxic Twenty: Unmasking Indonesia’s Most Toxic Coal Fired Power Plants, ” highlights the severe health, envir
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What are the potential impacts of climate change on population health in Indonesia?
The latest CELIOS study, “Potential Impacts of Climate Change on the Health of Indonesia’s Population,” reveals that climate change is likely to increase a wide range of health problems, including heat-related illnesses, respiratory disorders, heightened risks of malaria and dengue fever, as well as cardiovascular diseases and mental health issues. Our findings show that rising temperatures, ecosystem disruptions, and more frequent natural disasters can expand disease distribution, reduce produ
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