Luhut Pandjaitan Aims to Fast-track Net Zero Emission Goal

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan said on Thursday the government is set to reach the net zero emission goal faster, which was initially set for 2060. He said one of the ways is by increasing new and renewable energy mix. 

“We will be leaving fossil energy soon and entering the new and renewable energy to avoid global warming. We are pushing for this goal and trying to come faster than the initial goal of 2060,” said Luhut Pandjaitan in the Grab Langkah Hijau press conference on April 22, done online. 

The government is targeting 23 percent or 24,000 megawatt of new and renewable energy mix in 2025 which will continue to increase to 38,000 megawatt in 2035. This is a significant goal being set by the government as the current use of the ‘green’ energies is only 10.5 gigawatt or 11.5 percent. 

The use of new and renewable energy is heavily promoted to help hold the rise of average global temperatures under 2 degrees Celsius. The Indonesian government is also working with stakeholders. One of them is ride-hailing firm Grab Indonesia that utilizes an environmentally friendly technology in running the projects that align with the government’s program. 

Grab Indonesia claimed to have operated 7,500 units of electric vehicles across the company’s operation areas, a positive step which Luhut Pandjaitan hoped will be followed by other companies. 

Read: Indonesia Banking on Solar Power to Boost Renewable Energy Generation

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA