UNAIR NEWS 鈥 Energy inequality across various regions in Indonesia remains a significant challenge. To address this issue, 东京热 (UNAIR), through the Institute for Sustainable Community Service (LPMB) and the SDGs Center, has officially partnered with the International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office for Indonesia and Timor-Leste. The collaboration was realized through a workshop titled 鈥淭he Future of Energy Transition in Indonesia: Ensuring No Worker Is Left Behind,鈥 held on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) at the First Floor Hall of the UNAIR Rectorate Building, MERR-C Campus.
Addressing energy inequality and local innovation
In his opening remarks, Head of LPMB UNAIR, Prof. H. Hery Purnobasuki, M.Si., Ph.D., highlighted the persistent energy inequality across Indonesia. According to him, electricity access in the capital city is vastly different from that in regions outside Java, such as Sumatra, where power outages remain common.
鈥淚ndonesia is a very resource-rich country, yet energy issues continue to affect us. In Jakarta, electricity is rarely a problem, but in Sumatra, power disruptions are still frequent. This is an important issue that requires contributions from many stakeholders,鈥 said Prof. Purnobasuki.
He further emphasized that practical energy solutions can begin with simple resources readily available within local communities, rather than relying solely on large-scale projects.
鈥淲e can utilize cattle manure or agricultural waste as renewable energy sources. This allows communities to become more self-reliant. We should not simply introduce projects to communities; instead, we must collaborate with them so that they can improve their well-being, strengthen the local economy, and progress together,鈥 he added.
Prof. Purnobasukistressed that addressing energy challenges requires contributions from multiple stakeholders. He also encouraged the development of energy solutions based on local resources rather than depending entirely on large-scale projects.
Preparing the Workforce for the Green Economy
The workshop was part of the Innovative Regional Initiative for a Just Energy Transition (IKI-JET) campaign led by the ILO. Its primary objective is to provide practical guidance for regions that rely heavily on fossil fuel industries, ensuring that workers remain protected as industries transition toward cleaner energy sources.
Representatives from the UNAIR SDGs Center stated that universities play a strategic role in generating the knowledge, leadership, and innovation needed to support an inclusive transition toward a green economy. Echoing this perspective, IKI-JET ILO Indonesia Project Coordinator Muce Mochtar emphasized the importance of ensuring justice for workers affected by the global energy transition.
鈥淭he transition toward a low-carbon economy must go hand in hand with the creation of decent jobs and the protection of workers and affected communities. Young people have a crucial role in driving this transformation through innovation, leadership, and collaboration. We hope this workshop will inspire them to become part of the solution in building a greener, more inclusive, and more equitable future,鈥 Mochtar said.
Through the IKI-JET project and various strategic partnerships, the ILO continues to collaborate with the government, employers鈥 and workers鈥 organizations, academic institutions, civil society, and development partners to support a just energy transition in Indonesia. These efforts aim to ensure that the shift toward a green economy not only contributes to achieving national climate targets but also creates decent employment opportunities while ensuring that no worker is left behind.
Author: Fauziah Laili Romadhon
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
