Today, the Indonesian government launches its first National Cooling Action Plan (I-NCAP) in Bali. This first of its kind inter-ministerial initiative addresses one of the most significant contributors to global warming, guiding Indonesia towards a greener, cooler, and net-zero future.
The I-NCAP focuses on five critical areas: building space cooling, food cold chains, healthcare cold chains, mobile air conditioning and process cooling, and aligns with Indonesia's enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Developed with support from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and inputs from Sustainable Energy for All within the framework of the Cool Coalition, the I-NCAP represents a comprehensive policy roadmap to address increasing cooling demand, enhance energy efficiency in cooling appliances, and promote the use of low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants.
"The launch of Indonesia's National Cooling Action Plan marks a crucial step in our commitment to protect our people from extreme heat with climate-friendly cooling solutions. This National Cooling Action Plan will serve as a systematic and comprehensive framework to realize lower energy demand and emissions while improving the resilience of our population and economic sectors," said Dr. Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of the Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
The I-NCAP is an inter-ministerial policy roadmap led by the Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) and includes collaboration from numerous national stakeholders. Hongpeng Liu, Director of the Energy Division, ESCAP shared, "As the result of exemplary cross-ministerial and multi-agency collaboration, Indonesia's National Cooling Action Plan stands as a beacon of the integrated approach needed to address the complex challenges of sustainable development in the context of our changing climate. This initiative not only underscores Indonesia's commitment to sustainable cooling but also sets a benchmark for other nations to follow in working towards a more resilient, energy efficient and climate-friendly future."
In 2020, the total electricity consumed by space cooling in Indonesia's buildings and the food cold chain sector combined was 79 TWh, equivalent to 30 per cent of the nation's total electricity consumption. In the absence of effective interventions in the building sector, electricity demand is expected to rise nearly 400 per cent, from 62 TWh in 2020 to 241 TWh by 2040. However, through targeted policy interventions, market enablers and regulatory enforcement, technological and financial interventions, and capacity building strategies, the I-NCAP aims to mitigate this rise by 57 per cent, capping space cooling demand in buildings at 104 TWh by 2040.
Ruth Zugman do Coutto, Chief of the Mitigation Branch of the Climate Change Division of UNEP said, "The I-NCAP follows comprehensive vision to delivering on cooling, looking at the multiple cooling sectors to ensure thermal comfort in buildings, strengthening resilience to extreme heat, and bringing essential life‐preserving services like vaccines and safe food to all people while driving climate action. We applaud Indonesia's leadership in releasing this plan and encourage the continued collaboration among ministries and stakeholders to pursue its implementation and ensure a cooler, more sustainable future for millions of people."
As the world approaches the G20 Clean Energy Ministerial and COP29, the launch of the I-NCAP will showcase Indonesia's leadership in the cooling sector and the nation's commitment to innovative, sustainable cooling solutions, driving global action on climate-friendly cooling. At the same time, its success hinges on Indonesian ministries, industry stakeholders, and international partners joining forces in supporting the implementation of the I-NCAP. Towards this, the EBTKE Director General stated, "We call upon the international community to join Indonesia in implementing this plan, ensuring sustainable access to cooling for all. Together, we can pave the way for a greener future, mitigating climate impacts while fostering innovation and resilience in our cooling sector."
About the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Indonesia
The Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) is a key agency under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) in Indonesia. EBTKE is responsible for the development and implementation of policies related to new and renewable energy sources, as well as energy conservation initiatives. The agency plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable energy practices, enhancing energy security, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Through various programmes and collaborations, EBTKE aims to diversify Indonesia's energy mix, increase the share of renewable energy in the national grid, and foster energy efficiency across different sectors.
About ESCAP
The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. The Commission promotes cooperation among its 53 member States and 9 associate members in pursuit of solutions to sustainable development challenges. ESCAP is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations.
About UNEP
The UN Environment Programme is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
About the UNEP-led Cool Coalition
Since its founding, the UNEP-led Cool Coalition has grown in membership and impact. The Coalition currently has over 200 members who are collaborating on science and policy development, knowledge exchange, advocacy and joint action directed at governments and industry. The governance comprises an executive committee and steering committee - which include members from countries, industry, finance, academia, civil society, and international organizations. A technical committee and ten thematic working groups led by members drive delivery of the workplan. Examples of achievements can be found at https://coolcoalition.org/
To join the Cool Coalition, countries can be in touch with the Secretariat at [email protected] to receive and sign the common endorsement or click on this Cool Coalition website link.
To access the Cool Coalition website, please click on this link.
