For the upcoming G20 Summit, which will be attended by the President of Joko Widodo, Indonesian Civil Society Forum on Foreign Policy (ICFP) listed a number of notable notes on climate change and tax evasion in the extractive sector. These were delivered in ICFP press conference last July.
Yesi Maryam, Outreach Officer of Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), said that the G20 countries have conducted the low-carbon economic activities or de-carbonization, but the progress remains low. The role of G20 countries to reduce carbon emissions is substantial. They contribute to 75% of greenhouse gas emissions and 82% carbon emission. If the condition persists, the earth degree will increase around 3-40 C.
The Brown to Green Report, compiled by Climate Transparency and its partners including IESR, indicates the weak performance of Indonesia in fighting climate change. Indonesia is the biggest contributor of carbon emission among G20 countries. Indonesia’s climate policy to reduce 29% of carbon emissions in 2030 as business as usual considered weak. The investment in renewable energy sector remains low, while the energy mix still dominated by coal. She added, “The government of Joko Widodo needs more solid commitment to reduce carbon emission as committed in the Paris Agreement.”
Chalisa Chalid, the Chief of Campaign and Network Department of WALHI underlined that Indonesia should bring their priority agenda to the table, not only following others. As a country which has rather high economic inequality, Indonesia should focus to address poverty and inequality, which is in line with the SDGs
In mining, oil and gas sector where tax avoidance and tax evasion practices frequently found, Maryati Abdullah, National Coordinator of PWYP Indonesia highlighted the importance of international cooperation among G20 countries for Indonesia. Indonesia could optimize the role of Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) and International Tax Corporation and Financial Architecture as a medium to accelerate the implementation of beneficial ownership transparency as well as disclosure of Politically Exposed Person (PEP) in order to fight against tax avoidance and illicit financial flow practices.