Civil society warns of weakened ambition and delayed emission targets ahead of COP30
When Indonesia pledged to peak its carbon emissions by 2030, it was meant to signal commitment a vision of a nation ready to align economic growth with planetary boundaries. Yet, a decade after the Paris Agreement, that promise seems to be fading.
A recent discussion hosted by Just Coalition for Our Planet (JustCOP) revealed a troubling reality: Indonesia’s emission peak may now be delayed by seven years, to 2037. The findings, presented by Syaharani, Head of Climate and Decarbonization Division at ICEL, draw from the country’s latest National Electricity Plan (RUKN 2024–2060) and the National Energy Policy (KEN). Both documents show that 79% of Indonesia’s energy mix in 2030 will still rely on fossil fuels, dominated by coal.
“The peak of Indonesia’s energy-sector emissions is projected to occur in 2037, seven years later than the earlier low-carbon roadmap. Even if current targets are met, emissions will still rise by 148% compared to 2010 levels,”
— Syaharani, ICEL
These numbers don’t just signify a delay — they represent a detour from the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C pathway. In practice, Indonesia’s Enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (ENDC) still allows for significant emissions, without a clear plan for the early retirement of coal power plants.
The Global Clock Is Ticking, Indonesia Misses the Deadline
As the world prepares for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, Indonesia remains one of the countries yet to submit its Second Nationally Determined Contribution (SNDC) despite the global deadline passing in September 2025.
Tri Purnajaya, Director of Economic and Environmental Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed optimism that the document will be submitted soon. Yet, he cautioned that Indonesia’s climate goals must remain “realistic” alongside the pursuit of 8% economic growth.
