Indonesian islands with wind turbines and solar panels

Indonesia's Climate Crossroads: Will New Governors Drive Green Policy?

Theo Raines in Climate & Environment June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Analyzing the vision of Indonesia's elected governors to understand the future of climate change policy and sustainable development in the region."

The global fight against climate change increasingly hinges on local action. As highlighted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), local governments play a vital role in implementing adaptation strategies tailored to their specific regions. For Indonesia, a nation highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, the leadership and vision of its regional governors are critical in shaping effective environmental policy.

In Indonesia, the elected governors hold significant power in determining the direction of regional development. Their vision and mission statements, articulated during election campaigns, directly influence the five-year regional development plans that guide policy and resource allocation. This makes understanding their perspectives on climate change essential for gauging the nation's commitment to sustainability.

This article examines the vision and mission statements of governors elected in early 2017 across several Indonesian provinces. By analyzing these documents, we aim to assess the extent to which climate change and environmental sustainability are prioritized in their agendas, and what this could mean for the future of green policies in Indonesia.

How Do Indonesian Governors View Climate Change?

Indonesian islands with wind turbines and solar panels

To understand the potential for climate action, a study was conducted analyzing the vision and mission statements of governors elected in seven provinces during the early 2017 gubernatorial elections. The research employed a qualitative approach, scrutinizing the language used in these documents to identify any explicit or implicit references to climate change, environmental conservation, or sustainable development.

The study found a mixed bag of results. While some governors demonstrated a clear understanding of the need to address climate change, others appeared to give it little or no consideration in their stated priorities. This lack of consistent focus raises concerns about the potential for fragmented and ineffective climate action across the Indonesian archipelago.

Explicit Mentions: Only a small number of governors explicitly mentioned climate change or related terms in their vision and mission statements.
Environmental Awareness: Some governors showed awareness of broader environmental issues, such as deforestation and pollution, but failed to connect these issues to the larger context of climate change.
Sustainable Development: A few governors emphasized sustainable development in their platforms, suggesting a potential pathway for integrating climate considerations into regional planning.
Inconsistent Priorities: Overall, the study revealed a lack of consistent prioritization of climate change across the different gubernatorial platforms.

One notable exception was the governor of Aceh, Irwandi Yusuf, whose platform included a specific mission to provide clean and renewable energy sources. This commitment was further supported by several priority programs and subprograms focused on renewable energy development, sustainable environmental practices, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. This proactive approach signals a promising future for climate action in Aceh.

The Path Forward: Integrating Climate Action into Regional Agendas

The study highlights the urgent need for greater awareness and prioritization of climate change at the regional level in Indonesia. To ensure effective climate action, it is crucial for stakeholders to actively engage in the regional development planning process, advocating for the integration of climate considerations into all relevant policies and programs. By working together, Indonesian provinces can pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1088/1755-1315/129/1/012039, Alternate LINK

Title: The Future Of Climate Change Policy By Provincial Government In Indonesia: A Study On The Vision And Mission Of Elected Governors In 2017 Election

Subject: General Engineering

Journal: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science

Publisher: IOP Publishing

Authors: T Kurniawan

Published: 2018-03-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why is understanding the vision of newly elected governors important for climate change policy in Indonesia?

The vision of newly elected governors in Indonesia is critical because they hold significant power in determining regional development. Their vision and mission statements influence the five-year regional development plans, which guide policy and resource allocation. Analyzing these statements helps assess the prioritization of climate change and environmental sustainability, providing insights into the nation's commitment to green policies.

What did the study reveal about how Indonesian governors view climate change, based on their vision and mission statements?

The study revealed inconsistent prioritization of climate change across different gubernatorial platforms. While some governors explicitly mentioned climate change or related terms, others focused on broader environmental issues without connecting them to climate change. A few emphasized sustainable development, offering a potential avenue for integrating climate considerations. The overall lack of consistency raises concerns about fragmented climate action across Indonesia.

What specific example demonstrates a promising approach to climate action among Indonesian governors?

The governor of Aceh, Irwandi Yusuf, demonstrated a promising approach by including a specific mission to provide clean and renewable energy sources. This commitment was supported by priority programs and subprograms focused on renewable energy development, sustainable environmental practices, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. This proactive stance signals a positive future for climate action in Aceh.

What role does the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) play in the context of local climate action in Indonesia?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the vital role of local governments in implementing adaptation strategies tailored to their specific regions. This is particularly important for Indonesia, a nation highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, where the leadership and vision of regional governors are critical in shaping effective environmental policy. The IPCC's emphasis on local action underscores the importance of governors' initiatives in addressing climate change.

What steps can be taken to better integrate climate action into regional agendas in Indonesia, based on the study's findings?

To ensure effective climate action, stakeholders need to actively engage in the regional development planning process, advocating for the integration of climate considerations into all relevant policies and programs. By fostering collaboration and raising awareness at the regional level, Indonesian provinces can pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future. This includes advocating for policies that support renewable energy, reduce deforestation, and promote sustainable land use practices. Without the focus from relevant policies and programs, the impact of environmental improvements is negligible.