Eligible Topics

IRSA, KINETIK (Kemitraan Iklim dan Infrastruktur Australia-Indonesia), and PROSPERA (Kemitraan Indonesia Australia untuk Perekonomian) is organizing three (3) special sessions to showcase innovative and insightful papers focusing on climate and energy transition policies and initiatives. In particular, these special sessions will delve into:

1. Unpacking the Nexus of Gender Equality and Just (Energy) Transition

Topics include:

• socio-economic impact of just transition,
• best practices in promoting gender equality in just transition, and
• challenges and opportunities to gender equality in just transition.

2. The Future Energy Systems

Topics include:

• optimization of renewable energy sources to decarbonize power, industry, and transportation in future energy systems,
• acceleration of investment in renewable energy capacity through collective efforts from public, private, domestic, and international entities,
• assessment of the costs and benefits associated with transitioning away from unabated fossil fuels and mobilizing resources for abated fossil fuels, such as coal-fired power plants with carbon capture and storage (CCS),
• designing effective subsidy removal strategies to mitigate unwanted effects on development and inequality, and
• ensuring alignment of energy transition with local economic priorities.

3. Carbon Market Development

Topics include:

• carbon market potential for industries, communities, and local governments,
• factors determining sectoral and regional readiness for carbon trading,
• socioeconomic impacts of carbon trading on industries and communities,
• building blocks of a credible monitoring, reporting, verification (MRV) system, and
• mechanisms to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the carbon trading practice.

This special session provides an opportunity to engage in discussions about the challenges associated with Indonesia’s climate policies and initiatives as well as potential solutions to address any related issues. We eagerly anticipate receiving contributions that shed light on these critical aspects of long-term economic development in Indonesia.

The Award

Six papers will be selected to receive Rp. 3,000,000.- (three million rupiahs) per paper and an opportunity to present at the IRSA-KINETIK-PROSPERA special sessions (two papers per session, according to the topic). Further, the authors will have the option to publish their works in the IRSA Book Series on Regional Development.

Context

Climate change poses a significant global challenge, necessitating urgent and coordinated action to mitigate its negative impacts on the environment, economy, and society. In response, numerous countries around the world have come together to make a series of commitments through their National Determined Contributions (NDCs); for Indonesia, its latest unconditional and conditional 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets to be met against business-as-usual (BAU) scenario are 31.89% and 43.20%, respectively.

Energy sectors, particularly power, industry, and transportation, are the main contributors to Indonesia’s GHG emissions. In 2019, energy contributed to 34.49% of total GHG emissions, only second to emissions from land use change and forestry (LUCF) including peat fires. Meeting these targets will inevitably come with major changes to Indonesia’s emissions-intensive economy. This can be done through three channels: (1) transitioning away from carbon-intensive energy sources such as coal; (2) development of Indonesia’s renewable energy base; and (3) establishment of an effective carbon market.

Indonesia have recently explored regulatory initiatives within such space, including the decarbonisation of the energy sectors, specifically through adapting alternative cleaner energy sources, as well as pricing of carbon emissions through establishing a carbon market. The carbon market is known to be one mechanism that puts an economic value on carbon emissions yet offers a cost-effective, market-based solution that incentivises entities to reduce their emissions and to transition towards less carbon intensive activities over time.

In parallel, transitioning away from fossil fuels and carbon-intensive energy sources offers a unique opportunity to move towards a more inclusive and sustainable economy. Indonesia’s Long-Term Strategy for Low Carbon and Climate Resilience 2050 (LTS-LCCR) has already emphasised the importance of addressing gender issues, just transition, intergenerational equity, and support for vulnerable groups in the implementation of LTS-LCCR. A gender-inclusive “just” transition necessitates removing barriers to women’s full workforce participation and supporting those impacted by the reduction of coal-fired energy production. It is essential to ensure that this transition to greener energy is equitable and prepares the existing workforce for emerging sectors.

Although various preliminary studies on ways through which the decarbonisation of the energy sectors and the carbon market mechanism can be optimised to tackle climate change and ensure equitability, these is a lack of comprehensive understanding as well as coordination between academics, researchers, private institutions, and government. Furthermore, being a diverse country with various regional challenges and potentials, it is also crucial to contextualise and identify how these initiatives can impact local economies.

The special session invites scholars to submit papers addressing these vital topics. This session offers an opportunity to present, discuss, and explore effective strategies to understand the gender impacts of this transition, the potential configurations of new energy systems, and the development of carbon markets during this phase. These discussions are crucial for achieving sustainable regional economic development in Indonesia.

How to Apply?

All papers related to the abovementioned topics submitted for presentation at the 19th IRSA International Conference will be considered for these IRSA-KINETIK-PROSPERA paper awards. All the terms and conditions of the IRSA Conference will apply to all applicants, i.e., paying the conference registration fee.

Timelines

• Deadline for submitting an abstract: 18 April 2024
• Deadline for submitting the full paper: 15 June 2024
• Notification of Winners: 1 July 2024

Submission

Extended paper abstract of about 500 words should be submitted online via http://www.conftool.com/irsa2024 by 18 April 2024. The abstract should include background, data and methodology, potential contributions, and keywords. Abstracts must be submitted in English, as also the entire paper.