"Indonesia mulls Paris Agreement exit, citing fairness and energy transition costs", 4 February 2025

JAKARTA — Indonesia, one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, has signaled it might follow in the footsteps of the U.S. and withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.

“If the United State [the second-biggest emitter after China] does not want to comply with the international agreement, why should a country like Indonesia comply with it?” Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Indonesia’s special envoy for climate change and energy, said at a sustainability forum in Jakarta on Jan. 31.

He pointed to the stark disparity in per capita carbon emissions, with the U.S. emitting approximately 13 metric tons of carbon per person annually, while the average Indonesian emits about 3 metric tons.

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While Indonesia hasn’t officially stated any plans to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement, a growing number of top officials have questioned the fairness of Indonesia’s commitment to reducing emissions when a major polluter like the U.S. has opted out. Bahlil Lahadalia, the minister of energy and mines, said the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement could lead to a decrease in financial support for renewable energy projects. That will make it difficult for Indonesia to remain committed to its clean energy transition, he said.

Developing countries like Indonesia have long called for financial assistance from wealthier nations to address climate change, as they lack the resources to do so despite suffering the most from its effects.

“Why are we being forced to retire coal-fired power plants? Who’s going to fund [these early retirements]?” Bahlil said as quoted by local media. “There are no donor organizations that have funded [early coal retirement]. Zero.”

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Indonesia’s coal industry and its powerful lobbying appear to be heavily influencing the government’s stance on the Paris Agreement, said Sisilia Nurmala Dewi, the Indonesia team lead for climate nonprofit 350.org. Several top officials also have coal business interests, including Bahlil, whose web of companies include coal mines.

“[The government’s stance] reflects a reluctance to acknowledge the inevitable decline of fossil fuels and the environmental impact of deforestation,” Sisilia said.

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