Support to the Just Coal Transition Platform Southeast Asia

Leveraging on the extensive experience in assisting coal communities in the EU and beyond in their just energy transition, Ecorys supported the Energy Transition Partnership (UNOPS) and the World Bank in setting up and piloting the Just Coal Transition Platform in Southeast Asia. Through analytical work, stakeholder engagement and Secretariat support, Ecorys colleagues accompanied the client through the Platform’s inception stage, setting the pathway for a just coal transition in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Background

The Southeast Asia region is a key player in the just transition landscape as it accounts for 76% of current global coal generation capacity and 94% of global coal-fired power plants that are under construction, planned, or announced.

Most countries in the region have committed to phasing out coal, albeit with different deadlines and strategies. In the target countries of the initiative (Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines), the share of electricity produced from coal oscillates between 30-60%. In this context, the Just Coal Transition Platform supports stakeholders in their transition process to ensure they maximise the benefits of renewable energies phase-in and minimise the negative social and employment impacts of the transition.

Ecorys supported ETP and World Bank in the establishment of the Just Coal Transition Platform Southeast Asia. Initially, our support included the preparation of key programme documents and the alignment with other active initiatives/stakeholders in the region. Once the foundations of the platform were set, our team conducted analyses of the Just Transition landscape in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines and started engaging with key stakeholders about the challenges and opportunities for a just transition away from coal, e.g. by organising the first Annual Forum in Jakarta and through fact-finding missions to the three countries.

Key Findings

Throughout the project, Ecorys delivered, among others:

Three analytical papers describing the just transition context, challenges and policy recommendations for Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines;

The set up of a thematic committee, bringing together representatives from governments, academia, civil society and other relevant stakeholders from all three target countries to provide recommendations on the work of the platform and discuss key areas to address in the region;

The first Annual Forum of the Platform, gathering more than 90 representatives from civil society, academia, policymaking and international institutions;