A young Indonesian looks beyond coal towards a greener South Sumatra

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra, Indonesia (ILO News) - Without hesitation, M. Afif Khairi, 22 years old, raised his hand, eager to share his thoughts. When invited to speak, he confidently explained that the just energy transition is also the focus of his undergraduate thesis – a topic closely connected to his interests in environmental issues and community development. He also expressed hope that the transition would be consistent and carefully planned, rather than simply shifting the province’s dependence from coal to other critical minerals.

It [the workshop] reminds us that while we need to look towards the future, we also need to start preparing ourselves today.

Afif was one of more than 100 students from Sriwijaya University (Unsri) who attended a workshop organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), through its Innovation Regions for a Just Energy Transition (IKI-JET) project, in collaboration with Unsri. Held in Palembang, South Sumatra, on 5 August, the workshop gave students an opportunity to discuss the province’s transition towards a greener economy.

The workshop brought together students and other stakeholders to look beyond the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. It encouraged them to think about what the transition could mean for jobs, skills and livelihoods and how young people can contribute to a greener future for South Sumatra, a province whose economy has long depended heavily on coal.

© Antara Foto/Nova Wahyudi

© Antara Foto/Nova Wahyudi

For Afif, the issue is close to home. Growing up in Prabumulih, about 100 kilometres southwest of Palembang, he became accustomed to seeing trucks carrying coal through the area where he lived. Coal transportation, and the dust it generated, was a familiar part of his surroundings from an early age.

By the time he was in junior high school, Afif recalled, the local government had developed a dedicated road for coal trucks. But when he later moved to study at Unsri, coal remained a familiar sight. This time, he saw how it was transported not only by road, but also by rail and river.

“Trains are used to transport large amounts of coal, while passenger transport remains limited. This affects connectivity between urban and rural areas. Coal dust can also have harmful effects on the surrounding environment,” he said.

I just learned about the great potential of South Sumatra’s coffee sector. I really appreciate the efforts to develop agriculture as part of the province’s economic diversification.

During the workshop, he learned about efforts by the provincial government and other stakeholders through the Regional Consultation Forum, a platform for social dialogue that explores the impact of the energy transition on the world of work and opportunities for developing alternative economic sectors. Two sectors with support from the ILO have already selected: coffee and tourism sectors.

“I just learned about the great potential of South Sumatra’s coffee sector. I really appreciate the efforts to develop agriculture as part of the province’s economic diversification,” Afif said. “I hope the government and other stakeholders can further develop the coffee sector across the value chain, from upstream to downstream, while protecting the environment, including our forests.”

© M. Afif Khairi

© M. Afif Khairi

His thoughts also turned to workers whose jobs and livelihoods could be affected by the transition. For Afif, their voices and those of their families need to be part of the process.

“Not everyone can easily adapt or keep up with changes in new sectors. Workers need clear and consistent policies that take their aspirations into account,” he added.

“For young people like Afif who have grown up seeing the impact of coal in their own communities, the just energy transition is not a distant issue. It is about their future jobs, their environment and the future of their province. This is why their voices and participation are important as South Sumatra prepares for change,” said Muce Mochtar, ILO IKI-JET Project Coordinator in Indonesia.

One message from the workshop particularly stayed with him. Hari Wibawa, Head of Economic Affairs and Development Financing at the South Sumatra Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), shared a quote with the participants: “The future belongs not to those who wait for change, but to those who have the courage to prepare for it today.”

“The quote really stayed with me,” he told. “It reminds us that while we need to look towards the future, we also need to start preparing ourselves today.”

Afif is already taking steps in that direction. He recently began working with a social enterprise, an opportunity that allows him to continue learning while contributing to issues he cares about. For him, preparing for the future is no longer just something discussed at a workshop or explored in his undergraduate thesis. It is something he is already putting into practice.

For young people like Afif who have grown up seeing the impact of coal in their own communities, the just energy transition is not a distant issue. It is about their future jobs, their environment and the future of their province.

Muce Mochtar, ILO IKI-JET Project Coordinator in Indonesia