Youth Climate Conference 2024
On Saturday, July 27, 2024, the Forum Youth Climate Conference (YCC) gathered passionate young individuals at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Auditorium in Jakarta. This pivotal event marked the launch of the "Declaration of Youth for Climate and Energy Transition," emphasizing the urgency of clean energy transition to achieve a Golden Indonesia by 2045. Organized by the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) and supported by the Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy (CASE) for Southeast Asia Project, the YCC brought together over 200 participants, aiming to voice serious climate action to the government and industries.
Key Recommendations for a Clean Energy Transition
The Youth Climate Conference resulted in five significant recommendations for the government and industries to propel the clean energy transition:
Reduce Dependency on Fossil Fuels: To mitigate the climate crisis and ensure clean air free from coal combustion pollution.
Utilize Renewable Energy: Enhance access to energy in remote areas through renewable sources.
Implement a Just Energy Transition: To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen national energy resilience, and create new job opportunities.
Protect and Restore Ecosystems: Through policies that support adaptation to climate change.
Involve Youth in Policy Making: Ensure youth participation in formulating fair climate crisis and energy transition policies, providing learning opportunities for youth as change agents to achieve net zero emissions by 2060 or sooner.
Youth Voices and Government Support
Iklima Green, a representative and student from SMAN 4 Sukabumi, stressed the need for the Indonesian government to maximize the use of renewable energy, especially in the electricity sector. She highlighted the importance of ensuring that vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities and indigenous communities, benefit from renewable energy use. "As future leaders, we need the support and opportunities from stakeholders to be involved in policy-making," Iklima said, underscoring the importance of youth involvement to ensure sustainability, justice, and long-term commitment.
Government Initiatives for a Golden Indonesia 2045
Ervan Maksum, Deputy for Infrastructure at the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), highlighted the ongoing development of the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025-2029 to realize the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045. The RPJMN includes five essential development frameworks:
Enhancing Quality and Competitive Human Resources: Through health and education.
Building a Sustainable Environment: Increasing resilience to disasters and climate change.
Strengthening Infrastructure: To support economic development and basic services.
Improving Energy Efficiency: Developing long-term energy scenarios supported by studies and public discussions.
Creating and Expanding Jobs: Especially in the green sector.
Ervan emphasized the need for excellent human resources and innovation to achieve these goals, encouraging leadership development among youth to support the demographic bonus for Indonesia's future.
Conclusion
Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of IESR, emphasized the collective effort needed to ensure Indonesia's climate actions align with the Paris Agreement goals. He encouraged individual actions like using public transportation and renewable energy to make a significant difference. The Youth Climate Conference, supported by various civil society organizations, highlighted the crucial role of youth in climate action and the transition to clean energy. The Declaration of Youth for Climate and Energy Transition is a concrete commitment to drive the clean energy transition towards a sustainable and prosperous future for Indonesia.
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