Publications
Evidence with a purpose.
Reports, policy briefs, press releases, books, and public commentary in one searchable archive.
10 guiding principles for financing coal retirement
Reclaim Finance, with the support of CELIOS, BankTrack, and various CSOs from Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa, released “Ten Guiding Principles for Financing Coal Retirement Mechanisms.” These principles aim to ensure that the early retirement of coal-fired power plants is aligned with 1.5°C global warming pathways, prioritizes renewable energy, avoids false carbon solutions, secures concessional financing for developing countries, and protects communities affected by coal plant closures. They emphasiz
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CSO responses to the JETP CIPP
The CSO coalition considers the JETP CIPP document half-hearted in its support for a just energy transition. CELIOS Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira emphasized, “Some of the coal-fired power plants (PLTUs) slated for early retirement, namely PLTU Cirebon-1, are already included in the ETM scheme. So it seems there is no intention to actually close coal-fired power plants. The JETP is unclear; the initial plan to retire coal-fired power plants is simply not being pursued seriously.” Leonard Simanjuntak from Greenpeace added that the document
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CSO white paper on the JETP plan
Jakarta, October 26, 2023—Civil society organizations launched a white paper responding to the planned JETP investment document in Indonesia, highlighting issues of fairness, governance, and implementation. CELIOS Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira emphasized, “The point is to create more fiscal space, and shift incentives that have historically benefited extractive and fossil fuel companies toward supporting the energy transition.” Bhima also stressed the crucial role of local governments in a just energy transition: “Local g
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Research finds that PLTU early retirement plans do not involve local governments
Opinion article by Muhammad Saleh, published in The Conversation.
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Evaluation of Jokowi’s fiscal legacy for the next government
CELIOS published the report "Jokowi's Fiscal Legacy: Notes for Future Government" in February 2023 to assess Indonesia’s fiscal condition during President Joko Widodo’s two terms in office and the implications of fiscal reform for the future economy. The report highlights several key issues: the tax ratio has declined since 2015, tax incentives such as Tax Holidays could reduce state revenue, external debt rose 44% from 2014–2021, and a larger share of the budget was allocated to debt repayment than to productive investment. State-owned enterprise-based infrastructure megaprojects are also considered likely to strain the state budget in the future.
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Green industrial area infected by coal power plant: economic impacts, conflicts of interest, and environmental threats
The construction of coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) in the North Kalimantan Green Industrial Zone (KIHI) is projected to have negative economic impacts, including Rp3.93 trillion in output losses, a Rp3.68 trillion decline in community income, and Rp51.5 billion in losses to the fisheries sector. “Companies behind the investment in coal-fired power plants need to promptly consider terminating any contracts or purchase agreements for as long as construction of the coal-fired power plants continues,” said Bhima Yudhistira, Executive Director of CELIOS.
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National survey: energy transition expectations for the 2024 presidential candidates
This study explored Indonesian public perceptions of the climate crisis, the role of government, presidential candidates’ commitments, and the role of mass media. The findings show that 81% of the public agree that the government should declare a climate emergency, with the strongest support in urban areas and among people aged 15–34. However, 60% believe the government has yet to formulate policies to prevent the climate crisis. The online media outlets most active in covering environmental issues are CNN Indonesia and Seputar Indonesia (
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Mapping the interactions of three 2024 Indonesian presidential candidates with China
Jakarta, August 4, 2023—Ahead of the 2024 election, CELIOS highlighted the interactions of the three presidential candidates with China. Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Director of China-Indonesia Studies at CELIOS, stated, “Compared to Anies, Ganjar and Prabowo have more interactions with China.” Prabowo frequently meets senior Chinese officials to discuss defense partnerships, while Ganjar has signed various regional cooperation agreements with China. Meanwhile, Anies has focused more on building relations with the United States and
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Impact of coal-fired power plant closures on local communities: workers, SMEs, and regional revenue
Jakarta, July 18, 2023—CELIOS and Yayasan Indonesia CERAH highlighted the importance of local government involvement in the launch of JETP. Bhima Yudhistira, CELIOS Director, stated, “For example, around 4,666 direct workers, both permanent and non-permanent, will be affected by the closure of coal-fired power plants in Langkat, Cilacap, and Probolinggo. This does not yet include indirect workers, namely MSME operators around the power plant sites, as well as workers at coal source locations.” Muhamm
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Public opinion survey on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP)
The USD 20 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) funding commitment faces challenges due to low public awareness. A CELIOS survey of 1,245 respondents found that “public understanding of JETP is still very low and tends to be concentrated in certain regions and economic classes,” said Bhima Yudhistira. JETP is better understood in Bali, while communities affected by coal-fired power plants (PLTU) should be actively involved before the launch of the Comprehensive Inv
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China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Indonesia: how to avoid low investment quality and debt traps?
Jakarta, June 15, 2023— China’s investment in developing countries, including Indonesia, through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has come under intense scrutiny. CELIOS researcher Yeta Purnama stated, “In nickel downstreaming, or smelting, coal-fired power plants are still widely used. Their carbon emissions seriously endanger communities around smelter sites, contradicting President Xi’s commitment to halt all new investments in coal-fired power plants outside China.”
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Press release: efforts to attract green investment hindered by coal-fired power plants in industrial zones
Jakarta—In front of German investors at the opening of Hannover Messe in mid-April 2023, President Jokowi stated that all coal-fired power plants (PLTUs) would be closed by 2025, a date later clarified as 2050. Despite this revision, the government still permits the construction of captive coal-fired power plants in the Indonesia Green Industrial Park (KIHI). As an illustration, the KIHI project will be located in three villages (Tanah Kuning, Mangkupadi, and Binai) in Bulungan Regency
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