Stakeholders Unite in Jakarta to Push for Inclusive Just Energy Transition

“Businesses don’t wait for policies; they build the future every day,” emphasized Siripong Intavadee, Advisor at the Employers’ Confederation of Thailand.

As Asia and the Pacific accelerate their shift toward green and sustainable energy, the region’s leaders, stakeholders, and experts gathered in Jakarta for a landmark event focused on ensuring that the move away from coal and fossil fuels is both equitable and inclusive. Held on March 18–19, 2025, the two-day workshop convened a wide spectrum of voices—from policymakers and employers to workers’ organizations, civil society actors, and academia—all committed to advancing a Just Energy Transition (JET) across the region.

The event, jointly organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNOPS/Energy Transition Partnership, brought together representatives from Indonesia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. It provided a platform for countries to share progress, challenges, and innovative solutions to manage the social and economic impacts of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.

Building a Shared Vision for a Just Energy Transition

At the center of discussions was the need to ensure that no one is left behind in the energy transition. The Community of Practice (CoP) on Just Energy Transition in Asia, recently launched to promote peer-to-peer learning, showcased how governments and organizations are addressing critical issues such as skill mismatches, job losses, and inadequate social protection for fossil fuel-dependent workers and communities.

“Businesses don’t wait for policies; they build the future every day,” emphasized Siripong Intavadee, Advisor at the Employers’ Confederation of Thailand. His remarks highlighted the proactive role that the private sector must play in leading the charge toward clean energy.

Representing Mongolia, Enerel Altanzagas, Head of Program Department at the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, outlined initiatives that are reshaping the country’s energy landscape. “We established the Energy Council in 2023, and are launching programs focusing on youth and gender inclusion in the energy transition,” she said, signaling a commitment to inclusivity in policy and practice.

Addressing the Human Side of Energy Transition

One of the most pressing challenges discussed was the impact of the transition on workers in coal, mining, and related sectors. Many face job displacement, insecurity, and lack of access to reskilling opportunities, making it difficult to pivot to emerging green jobs.

“We recognize that this transition must be just and equitable,” said Bernard Paul Mangulabnan, Acting Chief Labor and Employment Officer at the Department of Labor and Employment in the Philippines. “It is essential to ensure that workers and communities affected by the transition are supported through reskilling programs, social safety nets, and the creation of new green jobs.”

Helen Simplina, Project Officer at the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) in the Philippines, voiced concerns about older workers being excluded from transition planning. “Workers who have spent their lives in coal mines, transportation, and other soon-to-be-phased-out sectors are often overlooked. The Just Transition must include them, even those close to retirement,” she urged.

Ground-Level Realities and Union Perspectives

Agus Supriyatna, a representative from the Confederation of All Indonesian Workers' Union (KSBSI), pointed out that many workers are still unaware of what Just Transition entails. “We can only provide knowledge-sharing support to a few people in our union. In the future, we hope to receive more support from the government or other institutions to spread awareness and educate our community,” he said.

Participants agreed that broadening awareness and socializing the concept of Just Transition is critical to enabling full engagement from all stakeholders, particularly marginalized communities and grassroots unions.

From Dialogue to Action: Partnerships and Policy Innovation

The workshop also spotlighted the importance of strategic partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms to support the transition. Discussions centered on the potential of corporate social responsibility (CSR) grants, carbon pricing, and economic diversification as tools to finance sustainable and inclusive energy policies.

Fredy Guayacan, Senior Specialist on Environment and Decent Work at ILO, stressed the importance of alignment between stakeholders: “Achieving a Just Transition requires governments, employers, and workers to work together. Investment in skills development, awareness raising, and social protection must be at the forefront.”

Simrin Singh, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, emphasized that collaborative governance is key to success. “We profoundly believe that it takes all three actors—governments, workers, and employers—to find solutions so that the transition is truly just. This process must be understood, owned, and driven at every level. It is a formula not just for sustainability, but for peace and long-term development.”

Looking Ahead

As Asia continues to grapple with the twin challenges of climate change and economic inequality, the Just Energy Transition framework provides a roadmap for achieving progress on both fronts. The Jakarta workshop underscored that inclusive dialogue, equity-focused policy design, and international cooperation are essential in ensuring that the green transition benefits all—especially those most at risk of being left behind.

With the momentum from this event, stakeholders across Asia and the Pacific now have a stronger foundation to work from, as they move toward a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable energy future.