Integrated Carbon Policy Design for Achieving Net-Zero Targets

Several countries have set net-zero targets, and many more will announce in the next few years. Countries have used carbon pricing as an instrument to cut Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and provide a price signal to attract private investments to achieve net-zero targets. However, current carbon policy in countries with net-zero targets remains inadequate and asymmetrical to overcome net-zero challenges; there are visible gaps in the carbon price level, sectoral coverage, and mechanism to reward carbon-neutral initiatives. This paper proposed an integrated carbon policy design covering economic, technical, and social dimensions and discussed how an integrated policy design approach could be effective in helping countries achieve net-zero objectives. The paper makes recommendations for net-zero policymakers. First, a stable and appropriate carbon price must be in place to attract private investments in carbon offset measures and commercialize clean technologies. Second, governments should use an effective revenue recycling mechanism to engage firms and citizens in mitigating the side effects of the carbon price regime and win their trust. Third, countries should promote behavioral changes and carbon footprint reduction measures through citizen participation. 

Content Analysis of Policymakers Communication Narrative Addressing Coronavirus Diseases 2019 Pandemic in Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic severely affected Indonesia in health and socio-economic sectors. As a new disease and the challenge became an opportunity for policy creation of the government. AIM: The study explored how the government as a policymaker responded to the COVID-19 pandemic within the framework of the policy window, as seen in the news media. This study also looked at how the public perceived the policy creation and the implementation. METHODS: A qualitative case study was conducted to answer the research questions by reviewing three main national news media, namely, Respublika, Media Indonesia, and Kompas, on primary communication from three policies makers (president, ministry of health, and COVID-19 task force). The searching coverage was within 1 year of the pandemic, from March 2019 to February 2020. The articles were analyzed using content and contextual analysis approaches. The articles were coded thematically using open coding in the native language, supported by MS Excel and qualitative software ATLAS.ti version 8. The data discuss with the existing literature using the policy window framework. RESULTS: We found that 147 articles were eligible for the study, which the majority of them were president communication. The president communicated in all aspects COVID-19 related policy, including integrated policy, health policy, and the economic. Ministry of health mainly focused on health policy and the task force on public education. The study showed that the government has utilized a policy window for policy creation in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy addressed all related issues that were affected by the pandemic, ranging from healthcare to financing. There were weaknesses in the implementation, such as not adequately informed to the public and some inconsistency among stakeholders. CONCLUSION: Policy creation without consistent implementation led to public distrust and rejection.

HOW HAVE THE STATE REVENUE AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPED AROUND THE EVOLUTION OF EXCISE TAX ON ALCOHOL IN INDONESIA?

ABSTRACT: The imposition of excise on alcohol is regarded as an effort made by the government in controlling the consumption of alcohol that may have a negative impact on society. Over time, the excise policy on alcohol in Indonesia has evolved, as lastly issued under Law Number 39 of 2007. This study aims to analyze the development of state revenue from alcohol excise and industrial production around the changes in excise policy on alcohol in Indonesia. The findings of this study reveal that the excise revenue on alcohol has increased significantly during the last 25 years. Notably, there is a systematic increase in excise revenue on alcohol post the implementation of Law Number 39 of 2007. Further, in terms of industry utilization and output value, the alcoholic beverage industry in Indonesia has been growing regardless of the restrictions and limitations put in place by central and regional government. While it is good for the economy to see the industry grow, an integrated policy on curbing the consumption of alcohol should be put in place in order to minimize the negative externalities that it may cause. Keywords: excise on alcohol, negative externalities, state revenue, liquor industry utilization ABSTRAK Pengenaan cukai alkohol dianggap sebagai upaya yang dilakukan pemerintah dalam mengendalikan konsumsi alkohol yang mungkin berdampak negatif bagi masyarakat. Seiring waktu, kebijakan cukai tentang alkohol di Indonesia telah berkembang, seperti yang terakhir dikeluarkan berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 39 Tahun 2007. Studi ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis perkembangan penerimaan negara dari cukai alkohol dan produksi industri seputar perubahan kebijakan cukai alkohol di Indonesia. Temuan penelitian ini mengungkapkan bahwa pendapatan cukai alkohol telah meningkat secara signifikan selama 25 tahun terakhir. Terutama ada peningkatan sistematis dalam penerimaan cukai pada alkohol pasca pelaksanaan Undang-Undang Nomor 39 Tahun 2007. Selanjutnya, dalam hal pemanfaatan industri dan nilai output, industri minuman beralkohol di Indonesia telah berkembang terlepas dari pembatasan dan batasan yang diberlakukan oleh pemerintah pusat dan daerah. Meskipun baik bagi ekonomi untuk melihat industri tumbuh, kebijakan terpadu untuk membatasi konsumsi alkohol harus diberlakukan untuk meminimalkan eksternalitas negatif yang mungkin ditimbulkannya. Kata kunci: cukai alkohol, eksternalitas negatif, pendapatan negara, pemanfaatan industri minuman keras

Integration of renewable energy policies between central and regional governments

Renewable Energy will play a more critical role in meeting future energy needs. Therefore, it is necessary to have policies and strategies at the national and regional levels so that the development of renewable energy can increase and develop. Unfortunately, Indonesia does not have a specific policy that covers the development of renewable energy until now. This study aims to see the integration of central and regional policies by targeting the renewable energy mix as a connecting link. This research was conducted using the document analysis method. The study results indicate that the national level’s legal instruments and policies for renewable Energy are inadequate. The instrument is still fragmented into several policies with a minimal portion and legal standing that is not strong enough. We propose the need for policies at the national level that specifically regulate renewable Energy and prepare derivative regulations for the law to have an integrated policy. In addition, local governments must also integrate their regional regulations with existing policy instruments at the national level. Good integration of national and regional policies is expected to accelerate renewable energy development in Indonesia, and the targets are not just ambitions written on paper.

The interplay of policy and energy retrofit decision-making for real estate decarbonization

Retrofitting existing buildings is critical for meeting global and institutional net-zero CO₂ emissions goals. Prominent energy and climate policy strategies are aiming to increase notoriously low retrofitting rates by triggering energy efficient and/or decarbonized real estate investments. Although many real estate assets are owned by large-scale investors, the interplay of their retrofit decision-making and policies are under researched. Relying on interviews with four major owner types, industry experts, and policymakers, we unpack the “black box” of retrofit investment and demonstrate how large-scale investors can transform retrofit decision-making processes to meet emissions goals. We show that to accelerate deep retrofits, policymakers should focus on integrated policy mixes, and consider the cross-impacts of policy instruments from various domains on the value-driven retrofitting decision. Instruments indirectly influencing retrofits, such as those targeting affordability or densification, represent a critical avenue for improving the retrofitting policy mix by moving away from single instruments directly targeting energy or emissions aspects. This policy mix should specifically target asset management budgetary decisions, which mainly drive investment planning relevant for deep retrofits.

Developing a Policy Framework with Indicators for a ‘Just Transition’ in Aotearoa New Zealand

As Aotearoa New Zealand responds to climate change, policymakers are being challenged to ensure a ‘just transition’ for workers, households and communities. However, no domestic consensus exists about how to define, measure, monitor or manage a ‘just transition’. Maintaining public support for ambitious domestic decarbonisation will require an integrated policy framework which operationalises principles of justice and safeguards wellbeing. This article examines the concept of a ‘just transition’ for climate change and explores three tools for improving policy: inclusive, informed and iterative processes for decision making; an assessment framework for social resilience to change; and progress indicators.

European Integral Urban Policies from a Gender Perspective. Gender-Sensitive Measures, Transversality and Gender Approaches

Integrated policy strategies represent an increasingly popular approach in urban development and gender policies. This article analyses the integration between integral urban policies and gender mainstreaming in the European Union. A specific analytical proposal is elaborated and applied to urban policies promoted by the EU in Spain between 1994 and 2013. The Comparative Urban Policy Portfolio Analysis is used to study the inclusion of gender-sensitive policy measures in local project portfolios, their transversality across policy sectors, and the relevance of two main approaches to analyse them. The results show that integral urban development programmes have incorporated gender-sensitive policy measures. Results also show a low level of transversality focused mainly on social integration, although they combine objectives focused on a women-centred approach to classical areas of gender inequality affecting women, i.e., employment, education, health, and a gender approach focused on new welfare challenges linked to care and defamilisation. These results show the relevance of analysing gender approaches included in integral urban policies to comprehend the character of their gender mainstreaming and their potential effects on more gender-equal cities.