West Kalimantan’s youth explore their role in Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition

© Universitas Tanjung Pura

© Universitas Tanjung Pura

PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan, Indonesia (Joint Press Release) – As Indonesia moves towards a low-carbon economy, preparing young people for a changing world of work is becoming increasingly important. While the energy transition can create new opportunities in greener and more sustainable sectors, it can also affect existing jobs and livelihoods, underscoring the importance of skills development, social protection and inclusive policies to ensure that no one is left behind.

To engage young people in this transformation, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with Tanjungpura University, organized a workshop entitled “Powering the Future: Challenges and Opportunities in the Era of Energy Transition” on 24 September. The workshop brought together students, academics and other stakeholders to deepen their understanding of a Just Energy Transition and explore the role young people can play in shaping a greener, fairer and more inclusive future of work.

Young people also need to understand that a Just Energy Transition has a strong social dimension. It is about ensuring that workers and communities are equipped to adapt to change, have access to adequate social protection and can benefit from new opportunities created by a greener economy.

Dr Herlan, S.Sos., M.Si., Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Tanjungpura University

In his opening remarks, Dr Herlan, S.Sos., M.Si., Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Tanjungpura University, highlighted the important role of universities in preparing young people to understand and respond to the social and economic changes associated with the energy transition.

“Universities have an important role in preparing young people not only with knowledge, but also with the skills, critical thinking and innovative mindset needed to navigate a changing world of work,” said Herlan. “Young people also need to understand that a Just Energy Transition has a strong social dimension. It is about ensuring that workers and communities are equipped to adapt to change, have access to adequate social protection and can benefit from new opportunities created by a greener economy.”

© Universitas Tanjung Pura

© Universitas Tanjung Pura

The workshop draws on the ILO’s work under the Innovation Regions for a Just Energy Transition (IKI-JET) project, which supports Indonesia in advancing the transition towards a greener economy while promoting decent work and inclusive economic development.

In Indonesia, the project has focused its regional interventions in South Sumatra and East Kalimantan, where experiences and lessons are helping inform broader dialogue on how workers, communities and young people can prepare for the employment and social implications of the energy transition.

Workers need opportunities to develop new skills and move into emerging sectors, but they also need protection when changes in the economy affect their jobs and incomes.

Muce Mochtar, ILO IKI-JET Project Coordinator

Muce Mochtar, ILO IKI-JET Project Coordinator, emphasized that the success of a Just Energy Transition should be measured not only by environmental progress, but also by how well workers and communities are supported through change. He encouraged students to see social protection as an integral part of the transition, alongside skills development, job creation and social dialogue.

“The transition towards a low-carbon economy must go hand in hand with decent work, skills development and adequate social protection,” Muce said. “Workers need opportunities to develop new skills and move into emerging sectors, but they also need protection when changes in the economy affect their jobs and incomes. Bringing these elements together is essential to making the energy transition fair and inclusive.”

© Universitas Tanjung Pura

© Universitas Tanjung Pura

The workshop featured two resource persons who explored different but interconnected dimensions of a Just Energy Transition: Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Gusti Hardiansyah from the Faculty of Forestry at Tanjungpura University and Christianus Panjaitan, ILO Consultant on Social Protection. Drawing on their respective expertise, the sessions encouraged students to look beyond environmental and technological changes and consider their wider implications for employment, livelihoods and social protection.

More than 100 Tanjungpura University students joined representatives from government, academia and development partners to examine how the shift towards cleaner energy can create new opportunities while affecting existing jobs and livelihoods. The discussions highlighted the importance of skills development and social protection in ensuring workers are supported through these changes.

For further information, please contact:
Muce Mochtar
ILO’s IKI-JET Project Coordinator for Indonesia
Email: [email protected]

Gita Lingga
ILO Senior Information and Communications Management Assistant
Email: [email protected]