LCDI Phase 2 - Assessment of the roles of cities and districts in planning and LCDI implementation: A case study of Sawahlunto, West Sumatera
This study assessed how cities and districts can integrate Low Carbon Development (LCD) into their planning and implementation processes, using Sawahlunto as a case study. The research examined policy coherence across governance levels, evaluated the relevance and effectiveness of current LCD strategies in addressing community needs, and identified gaps in the city's post-mining transition from a coal-based economy to tourism and green development. The findings informed an LCD action plan tailored to Sawahlunto's specific context while providing insights applicable to other transitioning regions across Indonesia.
Background
The Low Carbon Development Initiative (LCDI) partnership between Indonesia's Bappenas and the UK's FCDO entered its second phase (2023–2027), focusing on implementing LCD at national and subnational levels to meet Indonesia's emission reduction targets. While LCD had been integrated into national planning documents and provincial mandates through regulations like Presidential Regulation No. 61/2011, cities and districts—despite being key implementers with significant influence over energy, transportation, industry, and waste management—lacked clear directives for LCD integration. Sawahlunto, a post-mining city in West Sumatra transitioning from a coal economy to tourism-based development, presented a critical case study for understanding how subnational governments could effectively plan and implement LCD initiatives. This assessment, conducted by Dala Institute as part of the LCDI consortium, aimed to identify gaps and opportunities in Sawahlunto's current strategies to support its transformation into a green city while providing replicable insights for other transitioning regions.
Approach
This study employed a qualitative evaluation methodology structured in three stages: LCD planning-implementation review, gap identification and analysis, and action plan formulation. The research assessed policy coherence vertically (national to local) and horizontally (across sectors), evaluated the relevance of strategies to diverse community needs through an intersectionality lens, and measured effectiveness in achieving LCD principles of reduced emissions with social and economic benefits. Data collection combined comprehensive document review of national, provincial, and local planning documents with primary research including 20-25 key informant interviews and 3+ focus group discussions with government officials, private sector, civil society, academia, and community representatives—with particular attention to women, youth, and marginalised groups. The findings culminated in a practical action plan that addressed identified gaps while aligning with Sawahlunto's specific post-mining context and broader LCD objectives.
Results
The assessment identified critical gaps in Sawahlunto's transition to low carbon development, including the absence of explicit LCD integration in planning documents despite the city's UNESCO heritage status, limited baseline greenhouse gas emissions data, unresolved land tenure conflicts hampering tourism development, and fragmented stakeholder engagement with minimal community and private sector involvement.
Based on these findings, an action plan was developed comprising eight strategic interventions: capacity building on LCD principles and monitoring systems (AKSARA); establishment of a LCD Working Group through mayoral decree; GHG emissions inventory and baseline calculation; land conflict resolution facilitation; creation of CSR forums and public-private partnership mechanisms with fiscal/non-fiscal incentive schemes; pilot projects in AFOLU sectors and circular economy for post-mining tourism; low-carbon transportation systems connecting Sawahlunto with surrounding areas; and development of green inclusive tourism through destination rehabilitation, zero-waste tourism practices, agro-ecotourism promotion, and integrated tourism packages. The plan provided detailed implementation timelines (2025–2030), budget estimates totalling approximately Rp 10.8 billion from various funding sources (APBD, grants, CSR, PPP), assigned responsibilities across government departments, and collaborative frameworks involving provincial authorities, private sector, academia, NGOs, and local communities to transform Sawahlunto into a model green city demonstrating sustainable post-mining economic transition.