Indonesia intensifies cooperation with Japan for carbon neutrality

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is strengthening research cooperation with Japan on carbon neutrality, which has become Indonesia's focus.

"Carbon neutrality is Indonesia's homework for now. Japan has a lot of technology related to carbon neutrality. With this cooperation, we hope to be able to retire steam power plants (PLTU)," BRIN Head Laksana Tri Handoko noted in a statement from his office on Tuesday.

Handoko said his side had recently forged cooperation with its Japanese counterpart as a transition step to replace coal fuel with local biomass.

He considered the use of local biomass as a new renewable energy source as strategic in achieving carbon neutrality. Indonesia is also considering nuclear power plants for large-scale energy sources in the future.

He explained that the BRIN has also started cooperating with industrial partners in Japan in developing bioavtur for aircraft fuel based on local Indonesian biomass, such as coconut and other plants.

"We hope the production can start next year, followed by the utilization," Handoko remarked.

He then expressed keenness to increase cooperation with Japan to develop superior human resources (HR) through research activities.

He remarked that BRIN has several schemes and programs to develop HR, especially the Master's and PhD Programs, which are conducted in collaboration with global partners, including Japan.

In connection with this, Japanese Parliament member Motegi Toshimitsu also emphasized the importance of strengthening the exchange of HR, who will become the next generation of leaders, to further bolster bilateral relations between both nations.

Toshimitsu, who is concurrently Secretary General of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), addressed the importance of realizing cooperation for a shared future where ASEAN countries develop rapidly.

Toshimitsu said his country has prepared several ideas, including carbon neutralization technology and geothermal technology, to strengthen the industrial structure in Indonesia.

"The carbon neutrality targeted by Indonesia towards 2060 through decarbonization can be achieved through cooperation between the two countries," he stated.