B50 : A False Solution Will Lead to Multiple Crises & Inequality

A briefing by Trend Asia arguing that Indonesia's B50 and Bioethanol (E20) initiatives are unsustainable policies that prioritize oligarchic interests over ecological stability and human rights.

• The Indonesian government is using the Middle East conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to justify accelerating B50 and Bioethanol (E20) initiatives. Trend Asia argues that addressing a temporary oil supply crisis by clearing 20 million hectares of forest for food and energy will result in ecological devastation, high emissions, and inequality.
• The Prabowo regime's plan to allocate 20 million hectares of forest for food, energy, and water resources is projected to put 4.5 million hectares of forest at risk and cause a carbon emission explosion. The document notes a financial loss of Rp101.2 trillion between 2015 and 2022 related to these expansions.
• The B50 policy is described as a mechanism to 'whitewash' illegal palm oil plantations. Over 4 million hectares of oil palm concessions are located within forest areas, including 224,004.95 hectares of Protected Forests, 32,253.17 hectares of National Parks, and 29,870.37 hectares of Nature Reserves.
• Bioethanol agreements with the US are characterized as a form of neocolonialism that creates trade dependency. Indonesia is expected to import 1,000 metric tons per year by 2028 and must meet a mandatory E5 target by 2028, eventually reaching E20.
• Trend Asia proposes that genuine energy security and sovereignty should be achieved by reducing reliance on liquid fuels through a comprehensive public transportation system and mass transit reform, rather than expanding land concessions.

APA

Trend Asia (n.d.). B50 : A False Solution Will Lead to Multiple Crises & Inequality. https://trendasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Why-is-B50-Being-Imposed-in-Indonesia.pdf

Chicago

Trend Asia. B50 : A False Solution Will Lead to Multiple Crises & Inequality. n.d. https://trendasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Why-is-B50-Being-Imposed-in-Indonesia.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Trend Asia |title=B50 : A False Solution Will Lead to Multiple Crises & Inequality |url=https://trendasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Why-is-B50-Being-Imposed-in-Indonesia.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{trendasiandb50, author = {{Trend Asia}}, title = {{B50 : A False Solution Will Lead to Multiple Crises \& Inequality}}, institution = {Trend Asia}, url = {https://trendasia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Why-is-B50-Being-Imposed-in-Indonesia.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }