By: Fardila Astari (Communication Expert, Yayasan Mitra Hijau)
The energy transition has become a major narrative in Indonesia over the past few years. On paper, the shift from fossil fuels and coal to renewable energy appears to be a progressive step toward a greener future. Governments and corporations have taken turns launching commitments, ambitious targets, and large-scale investments. However, behind these narratives of success lies a side that is often overlooked: the energy transition is still far from inclusive.
Media monitoring conducted by Yayasan Mitra Hijau (YMH) over a two-year period (August–December 2023 and January–December 2024) in East Kalimantan and South Sumatra revealed that energy transition narratives remain centered on the elite. Approximately 80 percent of online and social media coverage focused on large-scale projects, such as the development of new renewable energy (NRE) power plants, electric vehicle investments, and international partnerships. In contrast, issues affecting lower-income communities—such as social impacts, access inequality, and community participation—are relegated to the margins and rarely taken seriously.
One-Way Communication
From a sociological perspective, the energy transition is not only about technology and infrastructure. It also involves significant social change that can reshape production and consumption patterns and determine who benefits and who is left behind. Unfortunately, in practice, communication surrounding Indonesia’s energy transition still flows one way—from policymakers to the public.
Within this communication model, grassroots voices—particularly those of women, youth, and local communities near mining areas—are rarely given space in the narrative. They are often treated as subjects to be reported on, rather than participants to be listened to. In many regions, especially East Kalimantan and South Sumatra, residents affected by mining operations face challenges such as land loss, limited access to clean water, and shrinking safe living spaces. Yet, they are seldom involved in discussions or policymaking processes regarding the energy transition.
A Skewed Narrative
YMH’s media monitoring also shows that energy transition narratives are still largely controlled by actors in Jakarta. National media and public discourse continue to focus on the center of power—government ministries and large corporations. Voices from affected regions like East Kalimantan and South Sumatra rarely make it to the front pages or dominate public conversations.
In response, YMH has spent 2023 and 2024 expanding participatory spaces by initiating training programs and education for local journalists and affected communities. These initiatives aim to strengthen local media’s capacity to raise energy transition issues from the perspective of impacted communities. Based on communication program analysis, YMH successfully increased local media coverage in East Kalimantan—from just 79 news articles in 2023 to 1,167 articles in 2024.
Beyond traditional media, momentum is also building on social media. In 2023, discussions around the energy transition were still limited and mostly focused on project promotions. But by 2024, there was a significant increase in online conversations, with more netizens engaging with topics like energy justice and community voices. Positive sentiment toward local narratives also grew, reflecting a rising public awareness about the importance of inclusive participation in the energy transition.
The comparison shows that in 2023, elite-centered narratives still dominated. However, thanks to YMH’s public education efforts, 2024 saw a shift—especially on social media—toward more community-led discourse. This marks an early but essential step in building a more balanced narrative, even as dismantling central dominance remains a long-term challenge. YMH believes that a just energy transition is only possible when it is built on participation and collective ownership of the narrative—both in the media and in society at large.
Confronting the Information Gap
This is why it’s crucial to reconstruct the way we communicate about the energy transition—based on justice and inclusion. A participatory communication approach is no longer optional; it is necessary. As Paulo Freire emphasized in Pedagogy of the Oppressed (1972), people must be positioned as active subjects who are heard—not just passive recipients of information.
Journalism must also take a braver stance. Reporting on the energy transition cannot stop at investment figures and technological milestones. Journalists need to be present in the villages—listening to women who struggle to access clean water, and following the efforts of Indigenous communities to protect their forests from industrial expansion.
This kind of reporting is vital so the public understands that the energy transition is not just about “switching” from coal to solar panels—but about building a new system that gives voice and space to those who have long been sidelined.
Regional Consultation Forums: Bridging Narrative and Implementation
Efforts to push for a more just and inclusive energy transition are becoming more tangible through the initiative of local governments in forming Regional Consultation Forums for Accelerating Economic Transformation. These forums provide shared spaces where local governments, businesses, academics, journalists, civil society, and local communities can sit together to openly discuss the energy transition. They also serve to connect the energy transition agenda with local economic transformation, making it more grounded and relevant to local needs.
In this process, YMH plays a vital role as a facilitator and driver of change. The organization not only strengthens the capacity of local journalists and media, but also actively supports the formation of inclusive consultation forums in various regions. Through mentoring, training, and advocacy, YMH helps open up broader participation—especially for women, youth, and affected communities—to engage in shaping energy transition policy. These forums serve as crucial bridges that connect the narrative with real, on-the-ground action. They are part of YMH’s broader strategy to ensure that the energy transition aligns with fair and sustainable local economic transformation.
Building an Equal Narrative: From Rhetoric to Collective Action
The energy transition is not merely about changing energy sources. More importantly, it is about who participates, who benefits, and who has the right to shape our shared future. Until now, the discourse around the energy transition in Indonesia has remained elitist and one-directional—centered on government and large corporations. But new spaces are emerging, offering the opportunity for this narrative to become truly collective and inclusive.
YMH continues to play a strategic role as a facilitator of change. Over the past two years, it has built local media capacity and widened public participation. The organization has also accompanied affected communities in engaging more actively in energy transition policymaking. Through a combination of training, advocacy, and collaboration, YMH supports the creation of inclusive spaces where local residents—especially women and young people—can meaningfully shape the future.
These achievements mark an essential first step, but much work remains. Regional forums are now carrying the torch, continuing the push to dismantle information asymmetry and ensure public participation in energy policy. The energy transition we fight for is not only about achieving cleaner energy—it is also about social justice and guaranteeing that everyone has the right and opportunity to help define our collective future. (*)
Published in Bahasa Indonesia at : https://kaltimtoday.co/menggugat-transisi-energi-yang-tidak-inklusif