Welcoming The G20 Energy Forum, Minister Arifin Prepares 4 Strategies To Reduce Carbon Emissions

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif. (Photo: Doc of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government supports global strategic efforts in reducing carbon gas emissions in the coal sub-sector through the use of new and renewable energy and technology (EBT).

This step is expected to contribute to the achievement of the Net Zero Emissions (NZE) target in 2060 or sooner in line with the Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) agenda of the G20 Indonesia Presidency.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif conveyed the importance of the coal sub-sector in adapting to the times.

"In the next few years the use of coal will lose prestige with NRE as part of the energy transition process," said Arifin when giving a speech at the kick off meeting of the virtual high level advisory group (HLAG) coal in the global net zero transition, Tuesday, June 21.

The ESDM Ministry itself, continued Arifin, is preparing four strategies to reduce carbon emissions, namely the development of the downstream coal industry, the use of clean coal technology in power plants, carbon capture storage/carbon capture utilization storage (CCUS), and biomass co-firing.

"Implementation of this strategy will take into account the multiplier effect of the energy transition process itself. On the one hand, it will close a number of job opportunities. On the other hand, it will open up many opportunities for job creation," he explained.

At the HLAG meeting, Arifin was the Co-Chair with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic of Spain, Mrs. Teresa Ribera.

One of the important agendas discussed was the preparation of a special report on practical policy measures to reduce carbon emissions caused by the coal sector.

Later, this special report will comprehensively analyze the impact of the NZE target on the entire coal sector chain and become input for the state in implementing its national contribution commitments and NZE targets.

"This report was prepared at the right moment, where currently world energy prices are soaring and emphasize the importance of energy security and affordability for all," said Arifin.

The HLAG meeting itself was attended by a number of representatives from member countries of the International Energy Agency (IEA), representatives of companies in the energy sector, as well as funding management organizations such as the Asian Development Bank (IDB) and the Climate Investment Fund (CIF).

Some of the issues that emerged in the discussion were the challenges in balancing the coal phase out strategy and NRE development, each country has different capacities and capabilities in the energy transition process, funding support and attractive funding mechanisms for the success of each country's coal phase out strategy.

In addition, other discussions on the agenda are the involvement of local communities in the energy transition process to ensure effective and appropriate implementation and the urgency of strong regulatory support in the energy transition process, especially for developing countries.

It is planned that HLAG will meet again in July to discuss the draft report that has been prepared together.

For information, the High Level Advisory Group (HLAG) Coal in the Global Net Zero Transition is part of the agenda to welcome The 2nd Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) which will last for two days, from June 23 to June 24, 2022.