Jakarta, September 1, 2023
The Indonesia Climate Modelling and Policy Hub (I-CLIMB), in partnership with TransitionZero, hosted an event aimed at deepening the understanding of the modeling process and results, drawing from TransitionZero’s experience. The seminar facilitated the exchange of ideas and was attended by experts from I-CLIMB members, academics, non-governmental organizations, and students from the University of Indonesia.
Led by Alin Halimatussadiah, Head of Green Economy and Climate at LPEM FEB UI, the seminar opened with its first session featuring two speakers: Isabella Quarez, an Engagement Analyst at TransitionZero, and Handriyanti Diah Puspitarini, an Energy Systems Modelling Analyst also from TransitionZero. The second session introduced Matt Gray, Co-founder and CEO of TransitionZero, and Thomas Kouroughli, Lead Energy Systems Modeller at TransitionZero, as speakers.
Alin initiated the seminar by providing brief introductions for TransitionZero’s speakers, Isabella Quarez and Handriyanti Diah Puspitarini. Isabella began by presenting TransitionZero, a not-for-profit focused on climate analytics established to simplify complexity through data transparency. TransitionZero aims to build open energy transition products that do not compromise on usability and partners with mission-aligned organizations to help establish a global standard for energy transition planning.
Highlighting the global commitment to achieving net zero, Isabella stressed the importance of transparent data as a key factor in developing comprehensive planning and reaching targets. She acknowledged data collection as a primary challenge and outlined how TransitionZero addresses this through initiatives like the Future Energy Outlook (FEO) system, Coal to Clean Price Index (CCPI), and Coal Asset Transition (CAT). These platforms seek to simplify data collection in the energy sector and illustrate the potential impacts of various policy sets. Indonesia is the initial focus for the development of these platforms, though the model requires further refinement.
Handriyanti underscored the significance of open energy models in aiding policymakers to formulate policies. The push for transparency has driven TransitionZero to develop open models as part of efforts to achieve net zero emissions. The FEO system, designed as an accessible and auditable model, tool, and data platform, supports energy transition planning. It has been utilized to formulate a Net Zero Emission Target for Indonesia and Southeast Asia, with future plans to expand the database to include 163 countries down to the subnational level.
In the second session, Alin introduced the Indonesia Climate Modelling and Policy Hub (I-CLIMB), established in October 2022 to unite think tanks interested in climate science and policy and enhance their climate modelling capabilities. Currently, I-CLIMB comprises 25 members and 7 knowledge partners, including TransitionZero. She highlighted data collection as a key challenge in energy modelling in Indonesia. Matt and Thomas noted that this challenge is not unique to Indonesia but is a common issue worldwide. TransitionZero’s development of open models and databases aims to tackle this problem and inspire energy model ideas that can inform government climate policy. I-CLIMB members also expressed concerns over data quality in Indonesia, which hampers climate planning support. They hope TransitionZero’s initiatives will offer valuable insights and contributions to all stakeholders in Indonesia’s energy sector.
The discussions among the panelists concluded with a consensus on the growing need for data transparency in climate modelling and planning. Accurate and reliable data is essential for effective climate modelling and planning, with TransitionZero’s experience serving as a model for developing open models.