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Green Industry, Grizzled Climate?
A focus group discussion on "Green Industry, Grey Climate?" was hosted by a faction of the Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa, (PKB)

Green Industry, Grizzled Climate?

June 2023

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 — A focus group discussion on "Green Industry, Grey Climate?" was hosted by a faction of the Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa, (PKB) which included the following speakers:

  • Dr. Ir Mahawan Karuniasa, MM - Climate Change & Sustainable Development Expert, Akademisi Sekolah Ilmu Lingkungan Universitas Indonesia
  • Mr.  James Kallman - CEO of Moores Rowland Indonesia
  • Mr. Yan Sibarang Tandiele - Directorate General of Metal, Machinery, Transportation Equipment, and Electronics Industry (ILMATE)  
  • Adriel Simorangkir - EV Business Development Specialist, PT. Pertamina Power Indonesia
  • Anugraha Dezmercoledi - Direktur Eksekutif, Asosiasi Ekosistem Mobilitas Listrik.

The event was opened by Ms. Ratna Juwita Sari, a member of the House of the People's Representatives (DPR). She discussed Indonesia's response to the energy transition and green industry, specifically highlighting the subsidy program for purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) that is protected under Ministry of Finance Regulation No. 38 of 2023. She also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the subsidy benefits deserving individuals rather than the wealthy.

In his speech, the University of Indonesia's Dr. Ir. Mahawan Karuniasa, M.M., a Climate Change and Sustainable Development expert, said the world is predicted to fall short of the goals established in the Paris Agreement; thus, he underlined the need to find a balance between mitigation and adaptation activities. In order to win the next election and carry out Indonesia's Vision 2045, he encouraged PKB to put green politics first.

The Directorate General of Metal, Machinery, Transportation Equipment, and Electronics Industry (ILMATE) from the Ministry of Industry was represented by Mr. Yan Sibarang Tandiele as the next speaker. He spoke on the importance of the automotive sector for Indonesia's economic development and outlined the rationale behind the nation's emphasis on electric automobiles. The switch to electric vehicles is necessary, according to the government, as fossil fuel stocks are being depleted.

The fourth speaker, Mr. James Kallman, addressed PKB and underlined that their supporters are mostly farmers and aspirant members of the middle and lower classes. He emphasized the significance of making certain that any green policies adopted serve these constituencies. When the middle class buys more energy-intensive products like vehicles and electronics, climate change is exacerbated, according to Kallman, who also emphasized the environmental issue as a question of human rights.

Adriel Simorangkir, an EV industry development specialist at Pertamina Power Indonesia, then described the roadmap created by Pertamina Power to guarantee the sustainability of the EV industry. The plan focuses on three main problems: accessible finance, standardization of batteries and charging, and battery recycling and repurposing.

The final speaker, Mr. Anugraha Dezmercoledi, spoke about his organization's role in promoting environmentally friendly regulations across the whole industry supply chain. He noted their lobbying work to support carbon trading and associated policies, increase EV infrastructure, and encourage a behavior shift away from combustion engines.


**By: Stefani W. Anggraeni — Marketing Communications & Social Media Specialist