The next generation helps shape Indonesia's just energy transition

Just energy transition

The next generation helps shape Indonesia's just energy transition

A joint workshop by the ILO and its university partner helps students explore the role of innovation, green jobs and social dialogue in advancing Indonesia's just energy transition.

17 July 2026

A group photo from a joint event organized by the ILO and Airlangga University on advancing a just transition in Indonesia. 7/2026

SURABAYA, East Java, Indonesia (ILO News) - Curiosity filled the Rectorate Hall at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) in Surabaya on 14 July 2026. More than 120 students joined representatives from government, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), academia, and development partners to explore one pressing question: how will Indonesia's transition to a greener economy reshape the world of work, and what role can young people play in ensuring that no worker is left behind?

Questions flowed throughout the workshop. Can renewable energy create enough decent jobs? How can governments, employers, and workers work together to ensure a just transition? What skills will young people need to thrive in the green economy? These questions shaped the lively discussions that unfolded throughout the event.

Indonesia has enormous potential to contribute to a sustainable future... The challenge is to accelerate the adoption of technology and innovation so that this potential can create real benefits for people, communities and future generations.

Tahta Amrillah, Ph.D., a lecturer and renewable energy expert from UNAIR's Faculty of Advanced Technology and Multidisciplinary

Organized by the ILO in collaboration with UNAIR under the Regional Innovation Initiative for a Just Energy Transition (IKI-JET) project, the workshop, The Future of Indonesia's Energy Transition: Ensuring No Worker Is Left Behind, encourages participants to explore both the opportunities and challenges of the country's transition towards a low-carbon economy.

The workshop, titled The Future of Indonesia's Energy Transition: Ensuring No Worker Is Left Behind, was organized by the ILO through its Innovative Regional Initiatives for a Just Energy Transition (IKI-JET) project in collaboration with Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR). The event aimed to help participants better understand the opportunities and challenges of Indonesia's transition to a low-carbon economy, while highlighting the vital role young people can play in driving innovative and inclusive solutions.

An interactive discussion explores how Indonesia's green transition will reshape the world of work and the role of young people in ensuring no worker is left behind. 7/2026

Taking participants on a journey through renewable energy innovations around the world, Tahta Amrillah, Ph.D., a lecturer and renewable energy expert from UNAIR's Faculty of Advanced Technology and Multidisciplinary, showcased technologies ranging from solar panels, geothermal and catalyst technologies to water-based fuels and electric vehicles. While these innovations are accelerating the global shift to cleaner energy, he emphasized that Indonesia still has significant room to expand the adoption of renewable technologies despite its abundant natural resources.

"Indonesia has enormous potential to contribute to a sustainable future because of its rich marine and forest resources. The challenge is to accelerate the adoption of technology and innovation so that this potential can create real benefits for people, communities and future generations," he said.

A just energy transition is not only about replacing one source of energy with another. It is also about preparing people for the jobs of the future.

Muce Mochtar, the ILO's IKI-JET Programme Coordinator

Complementing the technological perspective, Muce Mochtar, the ILO's IKI-JET Programme Coordinator, shifted the discussion to the people behind the transition. As coal-dependent regions diversify their economies, he challenged participants to think beyond technology and consider the workforce. Who will support workers moving from coal mining into new sectors? Who will provide the reskilling, upskilling and certification needed for the transition? If provinces develop new industries such as sustainable tourism, will there be enough skilled workers to meet the demand?

"A just energy transition is not only about replacing one source of energy with another. It is also about preparing people for the jobs of the future," Muce said. "The ILO is supporting local governments in South Sumatra and East Kalimantan to diversify their economies by identifying new growth sectors while bringing together governments, employers' and workers' organizations, academia and other stakeholders through regional consultation forums and social dialogue."

The discussions resonated with participants. Among those inspired was Elly Rismina, representing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For her, the workshop demonstrated that sustainability does not always require sophisticated or expensive technology.

"This workshop has raised my awareness about renewable energy and the important role SMEs can play in supporting the transition. In my own business, I have started recycling waste by applying practical and affordable techniques into accessories and other products, and this workshop has encouraged me to continue developing more sustainable practices."

Introducing the ILO Youth Network, an initiative that engages and empowers young people to become advocates for employment issues in Indonesia. 7/2026

The event concluded with the launch of a partnership between the ILO and university students to lead a just energy transition social media campaign. Through the initiative, selected students will produce social media content and website articles to raise awareness among their peers, families and communities about the opportunities and challenges of a just energy transition.

The campaign forms part of the ILO Youth Network, an initiative that engages young people on employment issues and empowers them to become advocates on topics ranging from occupational safety and health and social protection to artificial intelligence, green jobs and the future of work. To date, the Network has established partnerships with several universities, including UNAIR, the Indonesian National University Network (NUNI), Esa Unggul University, Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and University of Diponegoro (Undip).

This workshop has raised my awareness about renewable energy and the important role SMEs can play in supporting the transition.

Elly Rismina, SME owner