Climate Change and Energy Security Post-Cancun: The Indonesia Perspective

Indonesia faces a huge challenge in continuing the development of its economy while reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the same time. Using examples from the energy sector, which is the backbone of the country’s economy as well as one of the largest contributors of GHG emissions, this chapter examines the climate-energy nexus in Indonesia, taking into account the various relevant policies, political contexts and institutions that have influenced the climate change and energy discourses in the country. A particular focus will be given to efforts that have tried to balance actions on climate change mitigation while addressing energy security. The chapter critically reviews policy efforts to integrate climate change objectives into energy policy, and discusses policy impediments and implementation gaps that prevent the country from smoothly integrating its climate change and energy security objectives, with the development of geothermal energy in Indonesia taken as a case study.