DIGEST 2026/001 - Indonesia’s Green Industrial Paradox: Powering the EV Future, Polluting the Present

This publication is part of the DfD Lab DIGEST series, which translates research findings into concise, evidence-based insights on Indonesia’s transition toward a green and inclusive economy. DIGEST-2026/001 – Indonesia’s Green Industrial Paradox: Powering the EV Future, Polluting the Present examines the dual nature of Indonesia’s industrial downstreaming strategy in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, and how it advances green industrialization goals while increasing dependence on coal-powered energy. The brief outlines key investment trends, environmental challenges, and policy options for balancing industrial growth with climate commitments. It aims to support policymakers and stakeholders in designing a more sustainable path for Indonesia’s green industrial transformation. This publication series is openly accessible under a CC BY 4.0 license and available in bilingual format (English or Bahasa Indonesia).