Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) from the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction, Eddy Soeparno, emphasized that parliament must be at the forefront of accelerating the energy transition and strengthening climate action. According to him, the escalating climate crisis demands swift and strategic steps from all policymakers.
Eddy delivered this statement while speaking at the discussion “The Strategic Role of Parliament in Climate Action: Collaboration for Indonesia’s Future” organized by the PAN faction of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Wednesday (October 1, 2025). The event was also attended by British Ambassador to Indonesia Dominic Jermey and PAN DPR RI faction leader Putri Zulkifli Hasan.
He highlighted Indonesia’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels, particularly coal, which accounts for more than 60% of national electricity needs. “Around Jakarta alone, within a 150-kilometer radius, there are six coal-fired power plants. Meanwhile, air pollution continues to worsen, compounded by emissions from transportation, industry, and households,” he said.
Eddy noted that the impacts of the climate crisis are increasingly evident: floods during the dry season, rising temperatures, and deteriorating air quality. “We can no longer call this climate change. This is a climate crisis, and it must be addressed with crisis management,” he stressed.
He underlined Indonesia’s vast renewable energy potential from solar, hydro, geothermal, and ocean currents. However, this potential remains underutilized while energy imports, including one million barrels of oil per day, remain high.
“Transitioning to renewable energy sources is no longer an option but a necessity,” he said, adding that the PAN faction is pushing for accelerated regulations, including the Climate Change Management Bill included in the 2026 National Legislative Program (Prolegnas) and the New and Renewable Energy Bill (EBET).
“A strong legal framework is crucial to ensure consistent climate mitigation and adaptation efforts while protecting affected communities,” Eddy emphasized.
Beyond energy, Eddy also raised concerns about Indonesia’s waste problem, which reaches 56 million tons annually, dominated by household waste, single-use plastics, and food waste. “This is a serious challenge that worsens environmental quality,” he said.
He concluded by affirming that the fight against the climate crisis is a constitutional mandate. “Article 33 paragraph (4) of the 1945 Constitution clearly states that development must be based on sustainability and environmental awareness. Parliament must ensure that the energy transition is just, sustainable, and aligned with the interests of future generations,” he declared. (*)
