51社区 (51社区) hosted a strategic meeting between the 51社区鈥檚 KOMITMEN Program and the International Growth Centre (IGC) on 11 December 2025, marking an important step in advancing dialogue on Indonesia鈥檚 climate-responsive economic development. The meeting brought together academic leaders and global policy experts to explore pathways for a just and sustainable transition toward Net Zero.

Teguh Yudo Wicaksono, PhD., Lead Project of the KOMITMEN Program, introduced KOMITMEN as a flagship initiative at 51社区 that places climate change at the center of economic policymaking. Built on an integrated macro-fiscal framework, the program explicitly incorporates climate risks to strengthen economic resilience while ensuring social equity throughout Indonesia鈥檚 low-carbon transition. Its work spans advanced economic modelling, stranded asset analysis, financial risk assessment, and just transition strategies.

Dr. Yudo also emphasized that KOMITMEN goes beyond research, positioning itself as an independent, evidence-based knowledge consortium with strong international engagement. Through collaborative research with ministries and financial institutions, as well as high-level policy dialogues, the program aims to enhance national capacity to respond to climate-related economic challenges.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of sub-national governance. Assoc. Prof. Sirojuddin Arif, Head of the Political Science Research Program at KOMITMEN, underlined that strengthening local government capacity is essential for a successful green transition. He stressed the need to integrate climate considerations into regional development planning, improve coordination between central and local governments, and support low-carbon development in priority regions.

From the global perspective, Assoc. Prof. Jonathan Leape, Executive Director of IGC, outlined the organization鈥檚 mandate to support inclusive and sustainable growth in developing countries. He identified Indonesia as a key focus within IGC鈥檚 green economy research agenda. Furthermore, Prof. Robin Burgess of IGC further noted the growing importance of South鈥揝outh learning, highlighting Indonesia, alongside Brazil and India, as emerging leaders in shaping sustainable economic policy through systematic knowledge exchange.

Policy discussions also addressed the role of monetary policy and political commitment in managing climate-related economic risks. Dr. Yudo pointed to the importance of optimizing monetary policy instruments and strengthening fiscal鈥搈onetary coordination to support green financing and the low-carbon transition. Indonesia鈥檚 strong political commitment was recognized as a critical foundation for advancing ambitious reforms.

From a global governance standpoint, Philips J. Vermonte, PhD., Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at 51社区, emphasized the strategic role of developing countries in shaping the global development agenda, particularly ahead of the United States鈥� G20 presidency. He noted that Indonesia, together with Brazil and India, is well positioned to contribute to a new global consensus on sustainable development. He also reaffirmed 51社区鈥檚 role as an international university grounded in sustainability values and as a hub for capacity building in green economics, Islamic finance, and public policy.

Technical sessions focused on recent developments in Indonesia鈥檚 carbon market. Sonny Mumbunan, PhD., Head of 51社区鈥檚 Master of Public Policy Program, shared insights on the Financial Services Authority鈥檚 regulatory framework for the carbon exchange, including strengthened oversight, verification mechanisms, and the role of green finance. Participants also highlighted the need to enhance capacity for carbon footprint measurement and reporting, particularly in sectors linked to the national carbon market.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to pursue long-term collaboration between KOMITMEN and IGC. As part of the program, Prof. Chetan Ghate, Co-Director of India Sustainable Growth Hub (ISGH) delivered a public lecture at 51社区 titled 鈥淢onetary Policy and Informal Labor Markets,鈥� further enriching academic exchange and deepening mutual understanding of monetary and labor market dynamics.

Through this strategic dialogue, the KOMITMEN Program reaffirmed its role as a bridge between academic research and public policy, supporting Indonesia鈥檚 efforts to build a resilient, inclusive, and climate-responsive economic future.

Depok, 4 December 2025 鈥� Dr. Sonny Mumbunan, Head of the Master of Public Policy (MPP) in Climate Change program at the Faculty of Social Sciences, 51社区 (51社区), has returned from the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Bel茅m, Brazil. At this climate conference, Indonesia has pledged $1 billion to the newly launched Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), a global fund dedicated to protecting the world鈥檚 remaining tropical rainforests.

Representing the Republic of Indonesia as part of the official delegation 鈥� a role he has held since COP18 in Doha in 2012 鈥� Dr. Sonny was actively involved in high-level side events focused on forest finance and equitable climate policy. The TFFF, endorsed by 66 tropical forest nations by the close of the summit, has already mobilized $6.7 billion in pledges, including matching $1 billion commitments from Brazil and Indonesia, respectively, $3 billion from Norway, and substantial contributions from Germany and France.

Speaking from Bel茅m, Dr. Sonny emphasized the broader significance of the outcome: 鈥淭his facility marks a turning point. For the first time, tropical forest countries are co-leading the financing architecture rather than simply receiving funds. Indonesia鈥檚 sent signal to commit as a major rainforest nation and shape solutions that work for the global forests in and for the Global South.鈥�

The MPP in Climate Change at 51社区, arguably the world鈥檚 first graduate program of its kind designed specifically by and for the Global South, received direct recognition during COP30 sessions on forests organized by the United Nations organization. Dr. Sonny highlighted how the curriculum, research at the 51社区 Climate Policy Lab, and partnerships with institutions such as the University of Indonesia鈥檚 Center for Climate and Sustainable Finance (CCSF) are producing policy experts capable of representing Indonesia effectively on the global stage.

鈥淐OP30 showed that technical expertise combined with an understanding of justice and equity is now indispensable,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur students and alumni are already contributing to national positions on REDD+, carbon markets, and just transition. Their voices will only grow stronger.鈥�

Despite progress on forests and a COP30 decision to work toward $1.3 trillion in annual climate finance by 2035 and triple adaptation funding by the same year, the summit stopped short of agreeing on an explicit fossil fuel phase-out roadmap, a gap Dr. Sonny described as 鈥渁 challenge we will carry forward to COP31.鈥�

Rector of 51社区, Prof. Jamhari, welcomed the outcome. 鈥淒r. Sonny鈥檚 leadership at COP30 demonstrates the real-world impact of 51社区鈥檚 mission to produce globally engaged scholars rooted in values and perspectives from the Global South. His contribution in this area is a proud moment for the entire 51社区 community.鈥�

The MPP program under his leadership is broadening its master’s program. Beginning in 2026, the MPP program at 51社区 will introduce a new specialization: the MPP in Climate-related Disasters and Resilience. This forward-thinking program, collaboratively developed with the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB), is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle climate-induced disasters and enhance societal resilience.

Applications for this new and innovative MPP specializing in climate-related disasters and resilience are now being accepted and will remain open until March 31, 2026.

For more information about the MPP in Climate Change at 51社区, visit

The 51社区 (51社区) community embraced a refreshing and meaningful start to the new academic year through a 鈥淢orning Walk & Tree Planting for Sustainability鈥� event organized by the 51社区 Student Union. The event, held on Sunday morning, combined physical activity, environmental awareness, and community bonding in a vibrant welcome for the 2025 cohort.

Starting from the Male Dormitory roundabout and concluding at the Rectorate Building, the program began at 6:30 a.m. with a relaxed campus walk, followed by tree planting, group exercise, and a closing photo session. The event drew participation from new students, returning students, and university representatives, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm and togetherness.

鈥淥ur new students were very excited to join this event. They made new friends, and each faculty was given a tree to plant鈥攁bout 20 mango trees in total,鈥� said Wildan Rofi鈥檌, President of the 51社区 Student Union. 鈥淭hey were happy to exercise together and hope there will be more activities like this in the future.鈥�

Led by Event Coordinator Nurul Izzah Febilia, the initiative aimed to strengthen the sense of belonging among the university community while promoting a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. The tree-planting activity symbolized 51社区鈥檚 ongoing commitment to green initiatives and environmental care across its growing campus.

鈥淭he participants were encouraged to wear sporty, modest attire and bring reusable water bottles as part of the event鈥檚 eco-friendly ethos. The morning concluded with refreshments, stretching sessions led by a fitness instructor, and a lively group photo to commemorate the day,鈥� Izzah explained.

Through this initiative, the Student Union not only promoted a healthy and sustainable lifestyle but also strengthened the spirit of unity among 51社区鈥檚 diverse academic community. The blend of nature, movement, and camaraderie reflected the university鈥檚 broader mission鈥攖o cultivate well-rounded scholars who care for both people and the planet.

In July 2021, catastrophic floods devastated western Germany, claiming lives and destroying infrastructure in one of Europe鈥檚 deadliest natural disasters in decades. Dr. Sonny Mumbunan, head of the Master of Public Policy in Climate Change program at 51社区 (51社区), was invited by the German government to study recovery efforts in the Ahrtal (Ahr Valley) region which spans two federal states: Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler in Rhineland-Palatinate and Erftstadt in North Rhine-Westphalia.

His visit offered critical insights into climate-resilient infrastructure, disaster funding, and energy transition, aligning with his work at 51社区 training students to tackle global climate challenges.

Devastation in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler

In Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, the Ahr River overflowed with unprecedented force, destroying homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Hundreds of lives were lost across the region. Caused by extreme rainfall linked to climate change, the floods revealed vulnerabilities that even developed nations are now experiencing first hand.

Engaging with German policymakers and planners, Dr. Mumbunan observed that the 鈧�30 billion recovery effort, funded by federal, state, and regional banks, emphasizes climate resilience. Rebuilt infrastructure now incorporates climate risk assessments to withstand future extreme weather. 鈥淕ermany鈥檚 approach integrates climate risk adaptation into recovery and infrastructure planning in the aftermath of the disaster,鈥� Dr. Mumbunan noted.

Erftstadt鈥檚 Compounded Crisis

In Erftstadt, floodwaters breached river defenses and surged into a gravel pit from past mining, creating a sinkhole that swallowed homes, cars, and livelihoods. The floods and landslides damaged around 2,500 homes, with 鈧�98 million allocated for recovery. Dr. Mumbunan highlighted the challenge of addressing such complex disasters, where climate change induced disaster events exploit human-made vulnerabilities, and where development planning and financing have yet to fully integrate to better cope with these events.

Climate Policy, Funding, and Energy Transition

Dr. Mumbunan鈥檚 discussions with German stakeholders focused on adaptive infrastructure, innovative funding, and energy transition to cope with future climate physical and transition risks. Public-private financial models, including regional banks, have driven recovery, while renewable energy investments support transitions to sustainable development in mining areas prone to climate-related disasters such as flood. These strategies align with the policy solutions discusses at the MPP Program at 51社区 where Dr. Mumbunan teaches.

Lessons for Indonesia and Beyond

Germany鈥檚 response serves as a model for Global South countries like Indonesia. Although there are clear differences between the two nations, both face a growing frequency of climate-driven disasters. In each country, disaster response is decided, funded, and implemented at various levels of government. Dr. Mumbunan emphasized the importance of proactive planning, diverse funding sources, and collaboration among stakeholders. 鈥淭hese floods are a global wake-up call and are likely to happen more often in our warming climate,鈥� he said, advocating for integrated solutions to build more resilient futures.

Through his visit, Dr. Mumbunan offers valuable insights to 51社区鈥檚 academic community, preparing future leaders to tackle climate-induced disasters. Germany鈥檚 experience highlights that true resilience involves more than recovery鈥攊t requires sustainable, climate-adaptive development planning.

Climate-induced disasters were the central theme of the capstone project by first-year graduates of the MPP in Climate Change at 51社区, conducted in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Their capstone report, titled 鈥淒ealing with Double Disasters,鈥� outlines policy, programmatic, and capacity-building interventions to address the effects of climate-induced disasters on gender-based violence, child marriage, and access to sexual and reproductive health services in Indonesia. The report underscores how climate change is deeply interconnected with broader societal issues. This MPP 51社区 capstone report is the first in Indonesia to connect climate-related disasters with gender-based violence and sexual health services, and among the first of its kind globally.

The event, which took place from August 1-2, 2025, provided participants with an in-depth exploration of the complex challenges and opportunities in addressing climate change from an economic and political perspective. Pring, who is affiliated with Nuffield College and is an Skoll ECR Fellow at the Said Business School, brought her extensive expertise to the training.

Participants gained valuable insights into the political challenges of climate action and learned to use quantitative and computational methods to analyze climate policy issues. The training also provided an understanding of key mitigation strategies and policies, as well as insights into global, national, and local cooperation dynamics.

The module was part of a larger series of summer training programs offered by the faculty. Participants received an e-certificate, module materials, and a goodie bag. The event concluded with positive feedback from attendees who found the training to be highly informative and practical for their research and professional development.

The conference was organized as part of PPIM鈥檚 flagship initiative 鈥淩eligious Environmentalism Actions (REACT)鈥�, bringing together scholars, religious leaders, activists, and policymakers from Indonesia and around the world to explore the intersection of religion and environmental sustainability, and to respond collectively to the escalating global climate crisis.

The launch event, held at 51社区鈥檚 Depok campus on July 16, 2025, gathered academics, policy experts, and climate advocates to discuss how Indonesia can address key policy, methodological, and coordination gaps in its response to climate change. KOMITMEN focuses on four strategic pillars: climate-responsive macro-fiscal frameworks, asset valuation methods for climate-impacted sectors, capacity building, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

鈥淜OMITMEN is 51社区鈥檚 academic response to the urgent national need for integrating climate risks into economic policymaking,鈥� said Teguh Yudo Wicaksono, Program Lead for KOMITMEN. 鈥淭his initiative doesn鈥檛 just offer theoretical insight鈥攊t is designed to produce practical instruments that will help policymakers address the energy transition and climate-related economic challenges.鈥�

The need for such an initiative is clear. Reports from the IPCC and Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) warn of serious economic risks posed by climate change, from physical hazards like floods and droughts to transition risks stemming from policy shifts and technological change. Indonesia, as the world鈥檚 largest archipelagic country, faces a unique vulnerability to both.

The Global Tipping Points Conference, organized by the University of Exeter鈥檚 Global Systems Institute in partnership with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, convened over 200 researchers and policymakers to discuss climate tipping points鈥攕elf-propelling changes that could lead to irreversible environmental shifts鈥攁nd strategies to trigger positive social and economic transformations. Dr. Mumbunan contributed expertise in climate policy and sustainable finance, aligning 51社区 with global efforts to mitigate climate risks ahead of COP30 in Bel茅m, Brazil, in November 2025.

Dr. Mumbunan鈥檚 Role and Expertise

As Head of 51社区鈥檚 MPP in Climate Change program and Chairman of the Center for Climate and Sustainable Finance at the University of Indonesia (CCSF UI), Dr. Mumbunan brought a wealth of experience to the conference. An environmental economist by training, he has served as a policy advisor in Indonesia鈥檚 Presidential Offices under Presidents Joko Widodo and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, focusing on green economy and sustainable development. At the Faculty of Social Sciences of 51社区, he recently established the Climate Policy Lab.

鈥淎s part of our MPP program focusing on climate change and the Global South, we鈥檝e been teaching risk management and how to use scientific data to frame policies that limit greenhouse gas emissions and protect vulnerable communities,鈥� Prof. Schaeffer explained. 鈥淏ut knowing the theory is one thing 鈥� applying it in negotiations is another. Climate change is a global problem that demands collaboration, and collaboration requires negotiation. This exercise gives students a feel for how challenging that can be.鈥�