Enviro News Asia, Bandung — The Vice Speaker of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), Dr. Eddy Soeparno, delivered a firm call for accelerated energy transition during a national seminar at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) in Bandung on Tuesday (Dec. 2). The seminar, held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FPMIPA), addressed the theme “The Urgency of Energy Transition to Prevent Climate Change Impacts.”
The event formed part of the MPR RI Goes to Campus program, designed to strengthen civic literacy and build closer engagement between the legislature and university students. The initiative also opened space for critical dialogue on national strategic issues, particularly energy transition and climate change.
Eddy emphasized that shifting to cleaner energy sources has become an urgent national need rather than a policy option. Citing data from his presentation materials, he stated that Indonesia must overhaul its energy system to safeguard environmental sustainability and secure long-term economic resilience.
He highlighted Indonesia’s heavy dependence on fossil fuels, noting that more than 60 percent of the national electricity supply still relies on coal. Renewable energy contributes only 14 percent to the national energy mix, far below the 23 percent target set for 2025. He stated that Indonesia must expand environmentally friendly energy supply while maintaining its commitment to economic development.
Eddy explained that the impacts of climate change have become increasingly visible. He referred to national data indicating that Indonesia’s average temperature has risen by 0.8 degrees Celsius over the past two decades, contributing to heightened health risks, extreme weather events, and worsening air pollution.
He also addressed waste management issues as part of the broader environmental crisis. Citing the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, he noted that 60 percent of Indonesia’s rivers suffer from severe pollution caused by domestic waste and plastic.
In the concluding session, Eddy linked the urgency of energy transition to constitutional principles. He stressed that Indonesia must reaffirm Article 28H(1) and Article 33(4) of the 1945 Constitution, which outline citizens’ rights to a healthy environment and mandate fair and sustainable energy governance.
The program concluded with an interactive dialogue between students and the speaker, discussing policy opportunities, youth readiness, and future pathways for sustainable development in Indonesia. (*)
