Sukabumi, September 16 – Commemorating International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating a just energy transition. This effort not only focuses on reducing emissions but also on protecting ecosystems, including the ozone layer, which is vital for life. A just energy transition is seen as a comprehensive agenda encompassing climate financing, gender equality, and the empowerment of vulnerable communities. 

According to estimates from the Ministry of Finance (2024), Indonesia’s climate financing needs will reach IDR 3,500 trillion by 2030—almost equivalent to the 2025 state budget. These funds are required for the energy transition, greenhouse gas emission reductions, strengthening disaster-resilient infrastructure, and improving adaptive capacity in agriculture and coastal sectors. The government has utilized various financing schemes, ranging from grants, technical assistance, equity, and Ecological Fiscal Transfer (TAPE/TIP), to regional bonds. In addition, IDR 76.3 trillion per year has been allocated for climate mitigation and adaptation measures. 

However, the energy transition is not merely about technology and financing. Inclusivity is key—especially for vulnerable groups such as women—so that no one is left behind in the shift to clean energy. This issue is particularly relevant in Sukabumi Regency, which is directly affected by the Palabuhanratu coal-fired power plant (PLTU). Many local residents, including women, remain economically dependent on the power plant, making local government involvement crucial to ensure that the transition is fair and sustainable.

The ProWomen-3 Project, implemented by Rumah Energi with full support from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ford Foundation, held a workshop entitled Mapping Opportunities and Access to Climate Finance for Renewable Energy Development in Sukabumi Regency on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, in Palabuhanratu, Sukabumi. The workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity, networks, and collaborative strategies of stakeholders in Sukabumi Regency to leverage climate finance and renewable energy opportunities in line with the West Java Regional Energy Plan (RUED) and the principles of a just transition. 

In the opening speech, Sumanda Tondang, Executive Director of Rumah Energi, stated: “The energy transition cannot be viewed only from a technological perspective, but also from how communities living near energy centers can participate. Through mentoring and access to climate finance, women can become key drivers of clean energy solutions in their communities.” 

Ir. Bambang Widyantoro, MT, Expert Staff to the Regent of Sukabumi for Development, Economy, and Finance, emphasized that the path to Indonesia Emas (Golden Indonesia) must prioritize sustainability. Sukabumi Regency has renewable energy potential from wind, solar, and livestock waste, but waste management remains limited to landfills. “Collaboration among all parties is needed, including households. Housewives can process organic waste into energy, reducing landfill burdens and cutting greenhouse gas emissions,” he explained. 

Eko Prasondita, Head of Distribution and Loans at the Environmental Fund Management Agency (BPDLH), Ministry of Finance, added that communities can now access a range of financing schemes, from soft loans to grants. “These schemes support sustainable development through greenhouse gas emission reductions, improved ecosystems, and strengthened adaptive capacity to climate change and disasters,” he affirmed. 

Meanwhile, Jalaludin Mukti, ST, MSi, from the Regional Planning, Research, and Development Agency (Bappelitbangda) of Sukabumi Regency, highlighted the impact of the climate crisis on food security. “Currently, we still enjoy a surplus, but without preparedness for climate change, this could become a serious issue for the region. Therefore, local government policies have been aligned with national priorities, focusing on emission reduction, climate and environmental resilience, and waste management to create a clean and sustainable environment,” he said. 

From a provincial perspective, Rizka Adhiswara, ST, Energy Conservation Analyst at the West Java ESDM Office, noted that West Java has a clean energy potential of up to 192 GW, but only about 2% has been utilized. “Although West Java has the highest renewable energy utilization in the country, it also remains the largest contributor of fossil energy in Indonesia. For this reason, the government continues to promote renewable energy initiatives across the province, with a 20% energy mix target by 2025,” she explained. 

Closing the discussion, Maryati Abdullah of the Ford Foundation stressed the importance of collective commitment. “Emission reductions under the Paris Agreement must be realized by transitioning from coal-based energy to renewable energy. This process must be supported at all levels—national to local—and underpinned by accessible financing ecosystems that also deliver economic benefits,” she concluded.

Cross-sector collaboration at both local and national levels is expected to overcome barriers faced by vulnerable groups, enabling them to access inclusive financing in responding to the climate crisis. Beyond public funds, private sector financing through CSR programs and financial institutions also holds potential, for instance by providing financial products or schemes for household- and community-scale green technologies. A concrete example of this was demonstrated by PT Insight Investment Management in collaboration with Rumah Energi through the ProWomen-2 project in Central Lombok, which supported the financing of a solar power plant (PLTS) installation utilized by the Women Farmers Group (KWT) for coffee processing. 

Institutional forums such as this workshop are expected to strengthen local government strategies by ensuring that women are not only beneficiaries but also key actors in the just energy transition. By positioning climate crisis adaptation and mitigation as green investments, every institution can contribute to environmental restoration while improving the livelihoods of rural communities most vulnerable to climate impacts. 

Written by: Jenni Irene Connie 

Edited by: Fauzan Ramadhan