Looking beyond cooking energy provision in humanitarian response, interventions define the course of the internally displaced people’s (IDPs) livelihood. Energy transition in displacement settings often puts the bar high as the outputs are aimed to provide full use of low emission, healthy, clean cooking energy sources. By gathering data from protracted temporary settlements inhabited since 2012 by those affected by the Mount Sinabung eruption in Karo Regency, Indonesia, the purpose of this study is to look into how Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are switching to greener energy sources for cooking. A framework for determining energy choice at the household size was employed to depict the overview of energy use in cooking, taking into account the effects of the transition. The case of Sinabung displacement offered a perspective of the prolonged IDPs on humanitarian energy interventions and the national ecosystem toward clean energy behaviour. Even though Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) penetration is subsidized, a protracted displacement situation in Sinabung still reveals solid fuel dependencies. The LPG subsidy program, which was poorly planned, and the lack of readiness of IDPs to purchase and use new alternative cooking energy were the biggest obstacles to the overall transition process and caused the fuel stacking phenomenon to persist.

Pemerintah Indonesia berupaya mendorong transisi menuju energi terbarukan melalui Perpres Nomor 12 Tahun 2022 dan Permen ESDM Nomor 26 Tahun 2021 tentang Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Surya (PLTS) Atap, dengan tujuan mencapai target bauran EBT 23% di tahun 2025 sesuai RUPTL 2021-2030.

Inadequate infrastructure and a lack of awareness often lead to the pervasive issue of plastic waste from oftentimes mismanaged single-use items. Its multifaceted impacts on Indonesia’s waterways and marine ecosystems become a bottleneck to relevant stakeholders and the nation’s overall socioeconomic growth. This paper explores the feasibility of a circular economy (CE) model for plastic waste management, incorporating the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework to reduce environmental impact in the value chain. The study also assesses the potential of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a funding mechanism to support CE implementation in Indonesia, with recommendations for regulatory enhancements and infrastructure investments to overcome current limitations and achieve sustainable national economic growth.

Indonesia holds a critical role in driving ASEAN’s green job transformation through its abundant natural resources and young workforce to meet the rising demand for sustainability-focused employment. Indonesia can align its workforce with the 12.3% annual global growth in green roles by addressing the skills gap (currently, only 1.8 million workers are targeted for green jobs by 2030), integrating sustainability knowledge into technical curricula, and fostering public-private partnerships. Policy interventions and independent initiatives can further support this transition to contribute to Indonesia’s national roadmap, which projects an average GDP growth of 6.1 to 6.5% annually by 2050, with green jobs reducing emissions by 68% by 2045 and achieving Net Zero by 2060.

To reach 100% electrification, Indonesia must overcome energy poverty in rural locations. Renewable Energy-based Village Grids (RVGs) based on solar photovoltaic (PV), microhydro, and biomass have been established in numerous villages. RVG projects bring the advantages of reduced pollution, enhanced prosperity, and gender equality. However, some projects still encounter inequity and other challenges that obstruct long-term sustainability. This article provides some recommendations to support the deployment of RVGs in Indonesia.

Indonesia faces escalating pressure on its landfills due to the rising volume of unmanaged waste. Moreover, there is a growing demand for energy and a necessity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as outlined in Indonesia’s NDC, leading to a significant reduction in coal reliance. Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) offers an important technological answer to these pressing issues. This Op-Ed limited the scope of Indonesia’s current situation of RDF implementation to the challenges faced by the country. Additionally, it highlights two key urgent needs of RDF implementation and proposes potential actions that Indonesia can take.