“People Power: The Energy Transition from the Ground Up – Examples from Germany and Indonesia”
Panel Discussion
The global energy transition is essential to addressing the climate crisis. Yet switching to renewable energy alone does not make it just. Energy production and supply remain highly centralised in many countries, dominated by major public and private actors. Questions of who controls energy, who benefits and who bears the social and environmental costs often remain unanswered.
This is also evident in Indonesia. The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), launched by the G7 in 2021, aims to support the transformation of Indonesia’s energy sector. However, much of its planned financing targets large-scale infrastructure, while the needs and rights of local communities risk being sidelined. Energy projects are frequently associated with land conflicts, environmental damage, deforestation and the loss of local and Indigenous communities’ livelihoods.
Meanwhile, community-based and decentralised energy initiatives are emerging in Indonesia and Germany. Energy cooperatives and other community-led projects enable people to shape their local energy supply and participate in decision-making. They offer particular potential in Indonesia’s vast archipelago, but often lack the funding, technical support and enabling conditions needed to thrive.
How can community-led energy projects contribute to a socially and environmentally just energy transition? What can Indonesia learn from Germany’s experience? And how can international climate finance, including the JETP, better support smaller, locally rooted initiatives?
We will explore these questions with Dr Hilman Fathoni (Global South Studies Center, GSSC), Merete Looft (Urgewald) and a representative of a citizens’ energy initiative. The discussion will be moderated by Johanna Gebert (climate activist).
Date: Wednesday, 11.11.2026
Time: 06 p.m. - 8 p.m. (We will open the door at 5.45 with Coffee, Tea and Cake)
Place: Berlin Global Village - Patrice Lumumba Galerie
Am Sudhaus 2, 12053 Berlin
Speaker:
- Dr Hilman Fathoni (Global South Studies Center, GSSC)
- Merete Looft (Urgewald)
- a representative of a citizens’ energy initiative.
The discussion will be moderated by Johanna Gebert (climate activist).
The event will take place in English, with translation into German.
Indonesian dinner will be served. Please register!