Maria Emeninta’s report on the South East Asia Just Energy Transition Agenda in Australia

ACV-CSCIASIA.ORG, Australia – In recent development, Maria Emeninta, Regional Coordinator of ACV-CSCI Asia, based at KSBSI Cipinang Muara Jakarta, participated in a fellowship program offered by the Australian government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The distinguish program extended over period of 16 days, commencing on February 25, 2024.

This fellowship, facilitated by Australia government through Monash University and managed by an organization under the Monash University that is Climateworks Center, was awarded to 7 individuals from Indonesia and 8 from Vietnam.

Emeninta articulated, “There are a total of 15 recipients of this fellowship, engaging in a 14-day short course in Melbourne, Australia, focused on the theme of Just Energy Transition in the ASEAN region, particularly emphasizing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) for Indonesia and Vietnam.”

Througout the duration of this esteemed fellowship, daily lectures were conducted at Monash University, delivered by experts in Just Energy Transition, shedding light on Australia’s progress in this domain, with the country already surpassing the 50% mark in its energy transition journey.

The lectures offered a comprehensive perspective, ranging from electricity calculations at the national level to the implementation of auction or wholesale systems for major electricity providers that have transitioned from coal-based energy to cleaner alternatives such as wind, solar, and water conversion with gas as the main transition period in between.. Various regions, including Victoria, NSW, Queensland, NT, and Tasmania, were highlighted, showcasing a blend of academic, scientific, and business approaches bolstered by substantial subsidies and incentives.

Furthermore, insightful field visits complemented the theoretical knowledge, providing insights into successful transitions, such as Barwon Water in Geelong, nearing 100% net zero carbon, and the Latrobe Valley and Goldstone, the main region for coal phase-out by 2035. The integration of community, industry, and labor union schemes into the transition process was particularly emphasized.

Emeninta emphasized the importance of the program in preparing Indonesian and Vietnamese communities for equitable energy transitions, drawing lessons from Australia’s comprehensive approach. While acknowledging the disparity in funding between countries, she highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder involvement, including labor and marginalized communities.

The lecture series also compared perspectives from Indonesia and Australia, addressing shortcomings in stakeholder engagement and social aspects within the JETP framework. Lessons from South Africa’s JETP experience were also shared, emphasizing the need for balanced multi-stakeholder involvement.

Emeninta concluded by stressing the significance of early action in vulnerable communities and expressed hope that the fellowship recipients would leverage their learnings to contribute to a stronger understanding and implementation of energy transition in Indonesia and Vietnam.

Written by: Maria Emeninta