Jakarta – On July 25, 2024, Mouna Wasef, Head of Research and Advocacy at Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia, was a panellist at the Just Transition Dialogue hosted by the Institute of Essential Services Reform (IESR) in Central Jakarta. This event was the second discussion addressing conceptual issues on the agenda of a just energy transition in Indonesia. Following the previous discussion on the definition and scope of a just transition in the Indonesian context, this session aimed to align perspectives from various civil society sectors.
Other panellists included Suraya A Afif, an academic from the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences, University of Indonesia, and Royanto Purba, Chairman of the Blue-Collar Workers’ Union (FSP) and the Indonesian Workers’ Union Federation, who exchanged views on the meaning of ‘justice’ in the context of Indonesia’s energy transition. More than forty participants attended the discussion both in-person and online.
Mouna Wasef emphasized the importance of prioritizing the involvement of women and disabled groups in advocacy for a just energy transition in Indonesia.
“It is time to expand our network. There is still much room for civil society organizations (CSOs) to involve women’s organizations and organizations for people with disabilities. Notably, the aspect of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in the narrative of a just transition is seen as clichéd because, in practice, we have not yet explicitly involved the relevant actors,” she said.
This qualitative issue is a strategic point that needs to be highlighted. The issue of energy transition cannot be limited to technology implementation alone but also touches on fundamental issues. Mouna gave a simple example that Indonesia is just beginning to mainstream Gender Equality (GE) in the GEDSI of a just energy transition, whereas Disability and Social Inclusion (DSI) still need improvement. When discussing disability, which types are included? If we do not frequently involve groups with disabilities and social inclusion, we will not obtain a definitive perspective in framing a just narrative.
Just Transition Dialogue II invites the public to rethink what is meant by a just energy transition. The term ‘just’ must be revisited to its historical roots, stemming from the worker movement aspirations of the 1970s, which sought to ensure that changes benefit everyone. In line with this aspiration, a just energy transition must also ensure that technical information is accessible to all levels of society. This requires a caring paradigm so that the issue of a just energy transition does not become trapped in a technocratic framework.
Defining a just energy transition in Indonesia means reinforcing Indonesia’s position within the increasingly urgent global agenda. Dialogue between the government, private sector, and civil society is at the heart of this issue, as the success of a just energy transition depends on the participation and collaboration of all parties.
Civil society must continue to consolidate itself to influence the discourse on a just energy transition in public spaces and use this intersection as a starting point for change. In advocating for policies, civil society organizations should become accustomed to mainstreaming GEDSI principles in every output of their recommendations. This is a simple step that can be adopted to encourage every civil society network to genuinely involve women, people with disabilities, and other social inclusion groups.
Author: Muhammad Adzkia Farirahman
Reviewer: Aryanto Nugroho