Strategic meeting with the Deputy for the Environment and Natural Resources of Nusantara in Nusantara Capital City Authority (OIKN) at the OIKN Office

RDI representative with BRIDA Kaltim, UGM, and the University of Leeds

Source: Indonesia Net Zero Network Documentation

On 2-3 June 2025, the Resilience Development Initiative (RDI) representative Dr Vidya Azzizi (Programme Specialist), participated in a strategic visit with Professor Jonathan Lovett (Chair in Global Challenges, University of Leeds), Dr Fitriansyah (Head of Badan Riset Daerah/BRIDA Kaltim), Hafidz Wibisono, Ph.D. (Universitas Gadjah Mada/UGM), and Puput Wahyu Budiman, ST., M.URP (BRIDA Kaltim) to Nusantara Capital City (Ibu Kota Nusantara/IKN) as part of international research titled "Indonesia Net Zero Network”. This research is funded by the International Strategic Fund (ISF) from the University of Leeds. The team conducted a meeting with Nusantara representatives.

During the meeting with the Deputy for the Environment and Natural Resources of Nusantara, Dr Myrna Asnawati Safitri, S.H., M.Si., the team discussed the potential collaboration to create a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) titled “The Underlying Theories and Practical Challenges in Materialising Carbon Neutral Development in Nusantara and East Kalimantan.” The MOOC aims to help students, university students, and the international community explore the contextual application of the net-zero development concept in Nusantara. A deeper understanding of climate change challenges and collective action is crucial for a just transition, achieving Indonesia's Net Zero target by 2030, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Following the meeting, the team visited an Integrated Waste Processing Site (Tempat Pengolahan Sampah Terpadu/TPST). It is essential infrastructure in supporting waste management in Nusantara. Nusantara aims to achieve a 60% reduction in waste going to landfill by using the 4R (reduce, reuse, recycle, and replace) and circular economy approach. Nusantara TPST currently holds a 70-tonne capacity and aims not to produce emissions above the specified standards (net-zero emissions).

Concluding the visit, the team explored potential future collaboration among RDI, UGM, the University of Leeds, and BRIDA Kaltim. Proposed focus areas include environmental quality management, stunting prevention, energy transition, the blue economy, and regional development within the Nusantara golden triangle (Nusantara, Samarinda, and Balikpapan). RDI’s expertise in regulatory advocacy and capacity building is expected to play a vital role in supporting BRIDA Kaltim’s mission to foster innovations that enhance regional welfare for both local communities and industries across East Kalimantan.

This strategic event marked an ongoing commitment to support Indonesia’s Net Zero ambitions through the establishment of an Indonesia Net Zero Network of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. Future activities of the Indonesia Net Zero Network will include a joint research agenda and a three-day online ‘Social Justice Jam’, a cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural community learning event dedicated to finding solutions to real-world challenges such as indigenous community concerns and activism about transnational coal mining. 

Date: 6 June 2025

Written by: Vidya Azzizi (Program Specialist)