Indonesia Economic Research Highlights

ESG Research: Indonesia and beyond

How tech can unlock geothermal energy in emerging markets

As countries around the world look to increase baseload power generation, reduce energy imports and decarbonise their economies, emerging markets are boosting geothermal power generation with the help of new technologies and expertise. A new drilling technology developed by Quaise Energy, a US geothermal start-up spun out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that uses gyrotron-powered millimetre waves to vaporize rock, could allow for producers to drill as far down as 20 km compared to the average drilling...

How the new High Seas Treaty affects ocean conservation in emerging markets

As the international community reaches a landmark agreement to protect ocean resources, emerging markets are looking to balance conservation and the exploitation of marine resources. In the first week of March 2023 UN delegates in New York finalised the text of an international treaty outlining the sustainable use of marine resources beyond national jurisdiction. Popularly known as the UN High Seas Treaty, the document is the result of two decades of talks and represents the first international treaty on ocean protection...

Could emerging markets become world leaders in solar power exports?

As demand for renewable energy grows globally, several emerging markets are positioning themselves as leaders in exporting solar power. Most notably, Indonesia appears to be leading the charge. In recent months five giant solar power-export projects have been proposed in the country. One project, announced in mid-April, saw Singaporean renewable energy provider Quantum Power Asia and Berlin-based Ib Vogt agree to a $5bn deal to export solar power to Singapore...

Mining and electric vehicles: what can be done to reduce the carbon footprint?

Indonesia has taken another step towards its quest to become a leading electric vehicle (EV) player, with the world’s two largest producers of EV batteries recently announcing major projects in the country. However, these developments have highlighted the carbon-intensive nature of mining to EV production, despite hopes that the process could be further decarbonised. Headed by LG Energy Solution – the second-largest EV battery maker in the world – a South Korean consortium is set to invest $9bn in a mines-to-manufacturing...

How does Asia Pacific rank on net-zero emissions targets?

A recent report found that relatively few companies in the Asia-Pacific region have adopted net-zero carbon emission strategies to date. Nevertheless, there are grounds for cautious optimism as pacesetters in the region announce ambitious targets and experiment with innovative decarbonisation strategies...