Indonesia’s net zero network
A team from Leeds is working with Indonesian universities, non-government organisations and government agencies to establish a knowledge network in support of Indonesia’s transition to net zero.
Professor Jon Lovett from the School of Geography recently visited Indonesia to take part in a series of partnership activities.
On 28 May 2025, more than 100 people attended the collaborative seminar on net zero at the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB). Speakers came from the Resilience Development Initiative, Universitas Gadjah Mada, University of Leeds and the Indonesian National Development Planning Agency.
Professor Lovett presented at the seminar. He said: “Indonesia’s energy demand is growing and has a legacy of reliance on fossil fuels, especially coal from Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.
“The journey toward an ambitious net-zero policy target is not going to be easy and requires technological and policy changes, as well as robust cross-sectoral collaboration.”
The collaboration was evident in the seminar, with representation from local governments, communities, and businesses who are working together to achieve the proposed net zero transition.
After the seminar, the team worked together to record a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the challenges and opportunities of net zero in the video studios of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, which is known as Indonesia’s education university.
Dr Annisa Astari, a lecturer at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, described the importance of MOOCs for Southeast Asia: “I believe that open access education is essential to bridge educational gaps across diverse socio-economic backgrounds. By removing barriers to knowledge, we empower students and communities to contribute meaningfully to sustainable regional development.”
Leeds researchers met with Dr Myrna Safitri, Deputy of Environment and Natural Resources of the Nusantara National Capital Authority
Guiding Indonesia’s new capital city
The team visited the new capital of Indonesia, Nusantara, which is being built in East Kalimantan. They met with Dr Myrna Safitri, Deputy of Environment and Natural Resources of the Nusantara National Capital Authority, and Dr Fitriansyah of the Badan Riset dan Inovasi Daerah Provinsi Kalimantan Timur (BRIDA), who are responsible for implementation-oriented research and innovation in the province.
Dr Hafidz Wibisono from the Faculty of Geography at the Universitas Gadjah Mada explained the importance of the new capital and highlighted its net-zero target: "Indonesia must move its capital from Jakarta, as the city faces severe overcrowding, rapid land subsidence, and growing threats from floods and pollution.
“To avoid repeating these challenges, the new capital must be built as a sustainable, net-zero city, ensuring environmentally responsible growth, minimising ecological harm, and setting a precedent for future green urban development in Indonesia and worldwide."
Future activities of the Indonesia Net Zero Network will include a Social Justice Jam led by Dr Radhika Borde and Dr Desy Pirmasari from Leeds. The Jam will be a joint activity between Leeds students and staff and students at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia and the Resilience Development Initiative.
