Indonesia’s Climate Promises Don’t Match Its Official Plans

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has captured international attention with ambitious environmental promises: achieving 100% renewable energy by 2035 and eliminating coal power within 15 years. These bold commitments from one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters sparked hope for meaningful climate action that could help limit global warming to 1.5°C.

However, Indonesia’s official climate plan tells a starkly different story. The country’s newly submitted Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) — the formal commitment required under the Paris Climate Agreement — reveals emission reduction targets that environmental experts say fall far short of what’s needed to meet global climate goals. The disconnect highlights a persistent challenge: many governments still view aggressive climate action as incompatible with economic growth.

Under Indonesia’s high-growth economic scenario, the country’s emissions would actually increase by 30% above 2019 levels by 2035 — precisely when scientists say dramatic cuts are essential. Even in the best-case scenario outlined in the NDC, emissions would only decline modestly by 2035, continuing to rise until at least 2030. This trajectory stands in sharp contrast to climate science recommendations, which call for a 21% reduction in emissions by 2035 to stay on track for limiting warming to 1.5°C.

The gap between Indonesia’s public promises and official planning documents underscores the ongoing tension between economic development priorities and climate commitments in developing nations. While President Subianto’s renewable energy pledges signal positive intentions, the formal NDC suggests that translating ambitious rhetoric into concrete policy remains a significant challenge for this crucial climate player.