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This fact sheet by Trend Asia examines the failure of biomass power plants (PLTBm) in the Mentawai Islands and the resulting environmental and social impacts. It highlights how a project funded by a US grant led to the deforestation of customary forests when intended bamboo fuel proved unsuitable, while arguing that the region's energy needs should be met through more abundant renewable sources like solar and hydro rather than extractive bioenergy.

Indonesian civil society organizations argue that the EUDR is an insufficient unilateral measure that fails to address the root causes of deforestation, lacks strong human rights protections, and risks marginalizing smallholders while ignoring the role of financial institutions.

The document argues that the World Bank's Paris Alignment (WB PA) framework is scientifically flawed and provides loopholes for continued investment in high-carbon technologies. It specifically criticizes the classification of fossil gas as a transition fuel and the use of 'expert judgement' over science-based criteria to justify emissions-intensive projects. The coalition calls for an urgent revision to exclude all fossil fuels, prioritize renewable energy, and increase transparency and civil society consultation.

The report argues that Indonesia's energy transition is being 'hijacked' by established conglomerates and politically connected elites who dominate the supply chain for biomass co-firing in coal-fired power plants (PLTU). It highlights that while PT PLN aims to replace 5-10% of coal with wood biomass by 2025, the land requirements for this—estimated between 2.3 million and 3.9 million hectares—threaten massive deforestation and land grabbing. The document identifies several large groups, including Sinarmas, Medco, and Jhonlin, as key actors using 'shadow companies' or political ties to secure concessions, often leading to conflicts with indigenous and local communities. It further notes a lack of transparency in biomass sourcing, where sawdust from small-scale businesses is used instead of the planned wood pellets, bypassing legality checks.

The statement criticizes the Three Basins Summit for marginalizing civil society and ignoring the expansion of oil and gas blocks in the Amazon, Congo, and Southeast Asian basins. The signatories call for a just energy transition, a global moratorium on industrial activities in primary forests, and the legal recognition of Indigenous territories to ensure effective forest protection.

The document criticizes the Indonesian government's push for B50 and Bioethanol (E20) as a response to Middle East oil supply crises. It claims these policies will lead to massive deforestation, carbon emission increases, and the 'whitewashing' of illegal palm oil plantations. The author asserts that the program benefits conglomerates and creates trade dependency on the US, proposing instead a shift toward public transportation to reduce fuel demand.

The document argues that Indonesia is facing a climate emergency, evidenced by record temperatures in Larantuka and high greenhouse gas emissions. It criticizes the government's continued investment in coal-fired power plants (PLTU), the use of biomass co-firing which leads to deforestation, and the environmental damage caused by nickel mining for electric vehicle batteries. The guide advocates for community-based renewable energy and provides a roadmap for individuals to reduce their carbon footprint and engage in collective political pressure to demand accountability from policymakers.

The report 'Jakarta Bukan untuk Semua Orang' critiques the current state of mobility in Jakarta, where traffic congestion and inadequate public transport create significant financial and health burdens for citizens. It argues that the classification of transportation as a 'non-basic mandatory affair' under Law No. 23 of 2014 leads to budget cuts and a lack of political will. The document advocates for a shift toward integrated, affordable public transport and electric buses, noting that electric bus operational costs in 2024 were approximately 9% lower than diesel buses.

The report argues that MDBs fail to deliver genuine climate finance due to flawed accounting methodologies that allow fossil fuel-related projects, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and waste-to-energy incineration, to be counted as climate action. It highlights a systemic bias toward mitigation over adaptation and a preference for loans over grants, which exacerbates debt in the Global South. Specific analysis of the AIIB and ADB reveals transparency gaps, the inclusion of high-emitting projects in climate portfolios, and a failure to integrate gender equality and human rights into climate finance principles.

The complaint argues that the Jawa 9 and 10 coal power plant project, with a combined capacity of 2,000 MW, causes severe environmental and social harm to the local community in Cilegon, Banten. It alleges that the project is unnecessary due to electricity overcapacity in the Java-Bali grid and that its Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) is fatally flawed, failing to adequately address cumulative pollution, climate impacts, and forced displacements. The complainants assert that the IFC failed in its due diligence and oversight of Bank KEB Hana Indonesia, which provided $56 million in funding to the project developer, PT Indo Raya Tenaga, despite being a pilot client for the IFC's 'Green Equity Approach'. The document details reports of community intimidation, loss of livelihoods for farmers and fishers, and significant health risks, including respiratory infections. The complainants request a full compliance investigation, fair compensation for losses, and a systemic change in IFC policy to eliminate indirect support for coal projects.

The report documents systemic failures in the development and operation of the Bantaeng Industrial Area (KIBA), highlighting severe environmental degradation, labor rights violations, and the marginalization of local communities. It argues that the project was established through deceptive land acquisition and lacks meaningful community participation, leading to the destruction of local livelihoods such as seaweed farming and brick-making. The findings detail illegal groundwater extraction, toxic pollution, and a dangerous working environment with multiple fatalities, while noting that local government oversight has been insufficient.

The report critiques the Indonesian government's plan to move its capital to East Kalimantan, specifically in the Penajam Paser Utara and Kutai Kartanegara regencies. It argues that the project is a 'political commodity' designed to benefit oligarchs and corporations who hold extensive mining, forestry, and plantation concessions in the area. The document highlights significant environmental threats, including the destruction of mangrove ecosystems in Balikpapan Bay, the risk of floods, and continued reliance on coal power. It also warns of the marginalization and potential eviction of indigenous peoples, such as the Balik tribe, and criticizes the lack of transparency in financing and public participation.

The position paper criticizes the Indonesian government's decision to deactivate the BPJS health insurance status of approximately 11–13.5 million PBI (Contribution Assistance Recipients) members starting February 1, 2026. The author contends that this policy, justified as data updating, is a systemic violation of constitutional health rights and a failure of governance. The document highlights a contradiction where the state expands high-risk industries (like coal and nickel) that increase health burdens while simultaneously cutting health safety nets. It further argues that the government prioritizes 'political image' and 'lighthouse programs'—such as energy transition and global peace contributions—over the basic health needs of the poor, as evidenced by budget allocations that far exceed the PBI health budget. The paper concludes with recommendations for a moratorium on deactivations, financing reform, and industrial accountability for health impacts.

The report argues that the relocation of Indonesia's capital to East Kalimantan is a 'mega project' designed to benefit political oligarchs and corporations rather than the public. It highlights that the proposed 180,965-hectare site is not empty land but is already occupied by numerous mining, forestry, and plantation concessions linked to high-ranking politicians and their families. The document warns of severe ecological risks, including the destruction of mangrove ecosystems in Balikpapan Bay, the persistence of coal-fired power plants (PLTU), and the displacement of indigenous groups like the Suku Balik. It further criticizes the lack of public participation and the financial instability of the project, which estimates a cost of Rp 466 trillion.

Trend Asia critiques Indonesia's critical minerals industry, specifically nickel, as a 'green extractivism' model. The report alleges that the government uses National Strategic Project (NSP) status to bypass environmental laws, leading to massive deforestation, toxic pollution from coal-fired power plants, and severe labor abuses. It highlights a heavy dependence on Chinese capital, which it claims creates a vertical monopoly that exports value while leaving ecological and social devastation in Indonesia, including health crises and the loss of food sovereignty.