Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia, in collaboration with the Dala Institute, held a Sense-Making Workshop on the Social Dimensions of a Just Coal Transition in Indonesia in Central Jakarta. This activity is part of a World Bank study that aims to understand the opinions of policymakers in responding to the impact of the coal transition that can be felt by the community (skilled and unskilled labor), communities around coal businesses (mines and PLTUs that are retired early), including women and marginalized communities as well as suppliers/vendors and businesses in diversifying their portfolios to respond to policy changes and market dynamics.

The event, which was attended by a range of stakeholders from relevant Ministries, the Provincial Government of South Sumatra, the Provincial Government of East Kalimantan, CSOs/Think Thank, business actors, and community representatives at the site level, aimed to provide validation, advice, and input on several research findings and analysis of the social dimensions of an equitable coal transition in Indonesia; develop recommendations for communication and engagement strategies to provide an inclusive approach in future technical assistance programs; and identify existing intervention and innovation opportunities for community-led initiatives based on the research findings and recommendations.

This Workshop began with a presentation of the findings of the study, primarily related to the challenges of energy transition in the coal sector, ranging from the challenges of the political economy of coal, challenges of justice aspects, and various perspectives of justice in the energy transition in the coal sector, as well as the potential impact of the energy transition in the coal sector. Furthermore, participants were divided into several groups to discuss communication and engagement strategies and opportunities for intervention and innovation in facing these challenges.

Author: Aryanto Nugroho