JAKARTA — Indonesia, one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, has signaled it might follow in the footsteps of the U.S. and withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. “If the United State [the second-biggest emitter after China] does not want to comply with the international agreement, why should a country like Indonesia comply with it?” Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Indonesia’s special envoy for climate change and energy, said at a sustainability forum in Jakarta on Jan. 31. He pointed to the stark disparity in per capita carbon emissions, with the U.S. emitting approximately 13 metric tons of carbon per person annually, while the average Indonesian emits about 3 metric tons. “[Y]et we are the ones being told to close our power plants and reduce our [coal-fired] power plants. So, where is the sense of justice here?” said Hashim, who is also the younger brother of President Prabowo Subianto. The remarks from the country’s climate envoy have triggered strong backlash from environmental groups, who call the stance legally irresponsible, economically short-sighted, and environmentally disastrous. While Indonesia hasn’t officially stated any plans to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement, a growing number of top officials have questioned the fairness of Indonesia’s commitment to reducing emissions when a major polluter like the U.S. has opted out. Bahlil Lahadalia, the minister of energy and mines, said the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement could lead to a decrease in financial support for renewable energy projects. That will make it difficult for Indonesia to remain committed to…This article was originally published on Mongabay
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