Publications
Evidence with a purpose.
Reports, policy briefs, press releases, books, and public commentary in one searchable archive.
Sulawesi Has Exceeded Its Environmental Carrying Capacity as Extractive Industries Continue to Expand
Jakarta, 15 September 2026 — A new study by the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) finds that Sulawesi has exceeded its environmental carrying and assimilative capacity. Based on a multidimensional assessment of air, water, land, social conditions, and policy controls, the island recorded an aggregate score of 4.5 out of 5, placing it in the “beyond limits” category. The report, Beyond Limits: The Failure of Environmental Carrying and Assimilative Capacity (D3TLH) to Control the Expans
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High Potential, Low Prosperity: Structural and Regulatory Gaps in Rural Renewable Energy Transition
Indonesia’s renewable energy transition is leaving rural communities behind. A new study by CELIOS finds that despite Indonesia’s enormous renewable energy potential, structural inequality, weak regulation, and extractive economic dependence continue to hinder equitable energy access in villages. The report documents several alarming trends between 2021–2024. Household solar adoption declined by 26.3%, biogas utilization dropped by 19.8%, and community-scale micro-hydro development fell by 10.1%
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INDONESIA’S NICKEL: What Is Seen and What Remains Buried
Indonesia sits at the center of one of the most consequential resource stories of our time. As the world's largest nickel producer, it holds a pivotal position in the supply chains feeding the electric vehicle boom — a position its government has worked deliberately to strengthen through downstream processing mandates and a rapid buildout of smelting infrastructure. Nickel exports have climbed sharply over the past five years, and on paper, the country looks like a rare winner in the global clean energy transition.
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Leveraging the London Metal Exchange: Turning Indonesia’s Minerals into Premium Low Carbon Assets
As Indonesia solidifies its position as the epicenter of the global critical minerals landscape, new challenges have emerged in ensuring that our mineral wealth translates into fair, resilient, and sustainable economic value. While downstreaming policies have successfully increased domestic refining capacity, the market volatility experienced throughout 2025 and early 2026—marked by production halts in several RKEF lines—underscores the urgent need for a more robust global pricing and diversific
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Why Food Estates Are Not the Answer for Food and Energy Security
A new CELIOS report reveals that the Merauke food estate and bioethanol program could cost more than US$11 billion, while posing major risks to forests, local communities, and public governance. The study argues that Indonesia should prioritize cleaner, more cost-effective pathways to strengthen long-term food and energy resilience. CELIOS-Food Estate Not The Answer April 2026 Download
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Village Energy Transition Readiness Index 2026
CELIOS, in collaboration with Greenpeace, has released the 2026 Village Energy Transition Readiness Index report, which shows that the readiness of villages in driving the clean energy transition in Indonesia continues to face structural challenges and significant regional disparities. This study measures the readiness of villages and urban wards ( kelurahan ) for the energy transition through three main dimensions: clean energy initiatives, economic resilience, and village governance capacity
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AMICUS CURIAE CELIOS – ADMINISTRATIVE COURT OF KUPANG
The Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) has submitted an Amicus Curiae in Case Number 26/G/TF/PTUN.KPG on behalf of Agustinus Tuju, an Indigenous community leader from Poco Leok, in a case concerning opposition to the geothermal development project against the Regent of Manggarai at the Administrative Court of Kupang. This legal opinion is presented to strengthen the protection of constitutional rights, particularly the freedom of peaceful expression and the rights of Indigenous communities
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The New Development Bank and the Road to Better Safeguards for Communities and a Just Transition
The New Development Bank (NDB) plays an increasingly strategic role in financing infrastructure and climate-related projects across developing countries, positioning itself as a key actor in advancing sustainable development and a just energy transition. As NDB’s portfolio expands, this report underscores the growing importance of strong social and environmental safeguard frameworks to protect affected communities and ecosystems. Drawing on comparative policy analysis and institutional assessmen
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Urgently Calling for a New Model of Business, Human Rights, and Environmental Assessment
Sustainability instruments in Indonesia—such as PROPER, PRISMA, Norma 100, TKBI, and LKPM—remain fragmented and voluntary, lack field verification, and do not disclose results to the public. As a result, companies can engage in partial compliance without addressing real human rights and environmental harms on the ground. The CELIOS & PUSHAM UII study reveals that: 4 out of 5 national instruments are voluntary and unverified. Major conflicts in the LQ45 energy sector include environmental polluti
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Economic Losses from the Sumatra Flood Disaster
Celios Study Findings: Economic Impact of the Sumatra Flood Disaster 🗣️ Ecological disasters in Sumatra in November 2025 are projected to have caused economic losses of Rp68.67 trillion. This figure includes damage to residents’ homes, loss of household income, damage to road and bridge infrastructure, and lost agricultural production from farmland inundated by floods and landslides. 🗣️ Specifically, Aceh Province is projected to suffer losses of Rp2.2 trillion. North Sumatra is projected to
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TOXIC TWENTY: Unmasking Indonesia’s Most Toxic Coal Fired Power Plants
Jakarta, November 4th, 2025 - Indonesia risks 156,000 premature deaths and USD 109 billion (IDR 1.813 quadrillion) in economic losses from the cumulative operation of the country’s 20 most dangerous coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) through 2050, according to a new report released today by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Celios, and Trend Asia. The report, titled “ Toxic Twenty: Unmasking Indonesia’s Most Toxic Coal Fired Power Plants, ” highlights the severe health, envir
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What are the potential impacts of climate change on population health in Indonesia?
The latest CELIOS study, “Potential Impacts of Climate Change on the Health of Indonesia’s Population,” reveals that climate change is likely to increase a wide range of health problems, including heat-related illnesses, respiratory disorders, heightened risks of malaria and dengue fever, as well as cardiovascular diseases and mental health issues. Our findings show that rising temperatures, ecosystem disruptions, and more frequent natural disasters can expand disease distribution, reduce produ
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