Egi leads projects in energy policy, power sector transformation, low carbon development, and supports business development. We took a few minutes out of his busy schedule.

Egi, you have described your career thus far as ‘riding a wave of opportunities’. What did you mean by that?

After graduating University in 2011with a degree in Applied Climatology, climate change became a big topic in Indonesia.

And I was given a chance to work directly with the newly formed Indonesian National Council on Climate Change (DNPI), led by the former Indonesian President himself –  President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

After working at DNPI for a while, I realised I either needed to do something about the root cause of climate change or to dive deep into adaptation. I then devoted myself to helping mitigate the climate crisis.

 I chose another path that was only just emerging then: focusing on the energy sector. And so, I moved to USAID Indonesia Clean Energy Development (ICED) project from 2014 to 2016 and have specialised in energy since then.

In late 2015, another opportunity presented itself – to complete postgraduate study in energy, sustainability and environment at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

By the time I graduated in 2017, the energy sector had become the focal point of Indonesia’s public discourse, asking how do we decarbonise the energy sector and how do we transition from fossil fuels?

So this was my second wave of opportunity where I had all this relevant information to offer.

Climateworks works across multiple sectors with diverse stakeholders at many levels and across multiple geographies: Can you share a perspective on what’s happening in your region?

Last year, we were happy to work with the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group (under the Ministry of Energy), which is leading some important energy transition works in Indonesia.

Climateworks supported the Working Group, including hosting and convening high-level policy dialogue around Indonesia’s energy sector transition and financing.

With Indonesia now chair of ASEAN, we’re continuing to work in this space to help contextualise options for financing energy transition for other member states in this Southeast Asia region. This is really interesting and challenging work. 

There’s great trust in Climateworks’ approach and aim for system-level change. While we are small, we aim for a very big impact.

Our size means we also offer flexibility and agility, and we promptly respond to their requests, and the people with whom we work really appreciate that.

This welcomes more stakeholders into our conversations, and they trust us.

Climateworks has benefited by establishing ourselves relatively quickly here in Indonesia, hiring locals with the capacity to deliver our work.

And, of course, we speak the local language. So having six people on the ground in Indonesia, working as ambassadors for the organisation, does make a big difference. 

You say that when you hear the term ‘energy transition’ you get excited. Why is that, and why is energy so central to solving the climate challenge?

By 2030 – less than seven years from now – the energy sector will be the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Indonesia, if not in the Southeast Asia region.

Transforming this sector, including the power system, transport, and industry, all under the big energy system umbrella, will also be essential to fuel the economic growth that Indonesia is aiming for.

The Government of Indonesia aims to transition from an agriculture- and marine-based economy to an industrialised economy from now to 2045. 

Global companies, such as PwC, have projected that Indonesia will be the fourth largest economy in the world by 2045 or 2050 – so we need to prepare.

For example, currently, 95 per cent of our energy comes from fossil fuels. But as we transition towards this big economy, we need to do it with clean energy sources because we are committed to net zero by 2060 or sooner.

This also matters personally.

When my second child was born, I thought, ‘My wish is that when you’re 20, you’ll have a better environment, a better system to support you.’ So we must start this transition now. 

You have travelled to almost all of Indonesia’s provinces – and there are 38 of them! Can you share any insights with us?

I would probably describe myself as a full-time traveller and part-time worker!

From my early professional working life, I had the opportunity and privilege to fly across 33 provinces.

During these trips, I found it quite shocking to see very different levels of development between Western Indonesian and Eastern Indonesian provinces – from their infrastructure, to capacity and their access to knowledge and opportunities.

It took me some time to realise I couldn’t visit Eastern Indonesia with the same approach as Western Indonesia. So I adapted when making stakeholder consultations or field missions. 

That adaptation starts right from the basics, including starting conversations with a different approach.

For example, taking into account the seasonal differences in a region, such as, ‘In this season, our crops are failing’.

Such awareness of local cultures, local issues, allows you to start building the relationship. Then I can translate climate impacts into relatable daily experiences. 

The other difference is language: While all Indonesians can speak Bahasa, every region has their own dialects, meaning they speak both state languages and the national language.

Every city has a different language and conversation topics to start with – it can be politics in one place or fruit seasons in another!

When I meet with locals who speak Javanese, I start with their own language, and they get really curious; ‘Oh, here’s someone who can speak their dialect.’

It shows respect, so I make sure that conversation is an important part of each field mission. And it’s far more interesting that way: I am learning and working constantly.

In addition to your senior role with Climateworks, you have a family that includes two children under five… How many hours are in your day?

If I could make it more than 24 hours long, I would.

I’m usually in bed by 10 or 10:30pm, then up at about 3:30 or 4am in the morning, after a night during which, every two to three hours, our new baby wakes asking for food.

After my wife feeds him, I help him fall asleep.

It means I get about three or four hours of quality sleep daily.

As such, I usually catch up on many hours of sleep during the weekend. But when my family is happy and healthy, I am happy, which mitigates my exhaustion.

Also, travelling from where we are living in Bogor to Jakarta every day is an hour and a half each way – so three hours driving daily does mean my energy is waning by the end of the day.

But always, it’s lovely to be welcomed home and to spend time reading and playing with our kids.

More conversations with Climateworks experts

• Coral Bravo, Senior Analyst in our Sustainable Corporates team
• Dr Sali Bache, International Policy and Ocean Lead
• Wei Sue, Head of Strategy
• Dr Gill Armstrong, Senior Project Manager in our Cities team
• Brurce M. Mecca, Senior Analyst on our Indonesia team