Yudys Zuama Pratama, Tajudeen Sani

Clean Energy, Just Laws: Unpacking the Legal Backbone of SDG 7 in Indonesia

Introduction

Clean energy, just laws: unpacking the legal backbone of sdg 7 in indonesia. Explore Indonesia's legal framework for SDG 7 clean energy access. Analyze laws, identify gaps, and propose reforms for sustainable energy governance & renewable investment.

Abstract

The global pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) — ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all — demands not only technological innovation and financial investment but also a robust legal and regulatory framework. This paper examines the critical role of law in advancing clean energy access in Indonesia, a country with abundant renewable energy potential yet facing complex socio-legal and infrastructural challenges. By analyzing national energy laws, regulatory policies, and international legal commitments, this research investigates how Indonesia’s legal system supports or hinders the realization of SDG 7. Special attention is given to the interplay between energy justice, environmental protection, and socio-economic equity in shaping the legal landscape. The study identifies key gaps in current legislation, such as the fragmentation of regulatory authority, the lack of legal incentives for renewable energy investment, and the limited enforcement of sustainability standards at the local level. It also highlights promising initiatives, including the Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM), green financing regulations, and community-based renewable energy projects. Through a legal-institutional analysis and stakeholder mapping, this research contributes to understanding how legal reforms can drive systemic change toward inclusive and sustainable energy governance. The findings offer a model for integrating legal design into national energy planning, emphasizing the importance of legal certainty, participatory governance, and policy coherence. Ultimately, this research provides actionable recommendations for strengthening Indonesia’s legal framework to unlock the full potential of clean energy and accelerate the achievement of SDG 7.

Review

This paper, "Clean Energy, Just Laws: Unpacking the Legal Backbone of SDG 7 in Indonesia," offers a highly relevant and timely examination of the indispensable role of legal and regulatory frameworks in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7). It cogently argues that the global pursuit of affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all demands more than just technological innovation and financial investment; it requires a robust legal foundation. Focusing specifically on Indonesia, a country rich in renewable energy potential yet grappling with complex socio-legal and infrastructural challenges, the research's premise – to investigate how the legal system supports or hinders clean energy access – is both compelling and critical for understanding energy transitions in emerging economies. The study employs a comprehensive methodology, involving the analysis of national energy laws, regulatory policies, and international legal commitments. It further enriches its analysis by giving special attention to the interplay between energy justice, environmental protection, and socio-economic equity, and by utilizing a legal-institutional analysis alongside stakeholder mapping. This approach effectively reveals key legislative gaps, including the fragmentation of regulatory authority, the lack of sufficient legal incentives for renewable energy investment, and limited enforcement of sustainability standards at the local level. Crucially, the research also highlights promising initiatives such as the Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM), green financing regulations, and successful community-based renewable energy projects, providing a balanced and nuanced perspective on Indonesia's progress. Ultimately, this research makes a significant contribution to the discourse on sustainable energy governance by demonstrating how targeted legal reforms can drive systemic change. The findings provide actionable recommendations for strengthening Indonesia's legal framework, offering a practical model for integrating legal design into national energy planning. By emphasizing the importance of legal certainty, participatory governance, and policy coherence, the paper offers valuable insights that extend beyond Indonesia, serving as a blueprint for other nations facing similar challenges in unlocking their clean energy potential and accelerating the achievement of SDG 7.

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