Rural smallholder farmers and small-scale coastal fishers, especially in Papua, Maluku, East Nusa Tengarra, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan.
Indonesia’s climate success depends on reaching its rural smallholder farmers and small-scale coastal fishers, who remain the hardest groups to include in emission reduction programs. Concentrated in Papua, Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan, these communities, numbering in the millions, face persistent poverty and limited access to clean energy and markets. Many still rely on fuelwood or kerosene for cooking, contributing to local deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.
Barriers such as high upfront costs, poor infrastructure, and lack of information keep these communities outside Indonesia’s low-carbon transition. Without targeted support, they risk being left behind as climate impacts intensify and national goals move further out of reach.
Two practical, cost-effective solutions can accelerate inclusion within three years:
- Village Clean Energy & Clean Cooking Accelerator – Distribute solar home systems and efficient cookstoves through village cooperatives and pay-as-you-go microfinance. This can lower biomass use, improve health, and cut household emissions by up to 50%.
- Inclusive Smallholder & Fisher Resilience Package – Provide digital traceability tools, cooperative training, and microcredit to promote sustainable farming and fishing practices. Linking these producers to certified, low-emission markets can raise incomes while curbing deforestation.
Both programs can launch in 10–30 pilot subdistricts and show measurable results, reduced fuel use, improved energy access, and higher rural earnings, within 12–36 months.
Lead Implementers:
- Ministry of Environment/Head of the Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH): Led by Dr. Hanif Faisol Nurofiq as the Minister.Email: jdih@kemenlh.go.id
- Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) — Email: humas.kkp@kkp.go.id
Action now can ensure Indonesia’s climate transition includes every island and community, building cleaner, more resilient livelihoods for all.
This post is written by Climate Scorecard Indonesia Country Manager, Netra Naik.