Indonesian Nickel: Economy vs Environment

Currently the world’s largest nickel producer, Indonesia plans to expand mining further to meet the demand for clean energy technologies Nickel extraction has negative environmental and social impacts, resulting in deforestation, water pollution, biodiversity loss, illness, and other concerns The national ambitions of critical material production, overlooking its costs, reveal a gap between industrial goals and the material reality of Indonesia

Indonesian Nickel: What Is Its Role In The Just Transition?

Indonesia's nickel industry is made possible by foreign investment, with extraction fueling global clean tech supply chains, while local communities bear the environmental and social consequences Fair trade advocates in the Global North imagine a technology transfer and ethical downstreaming investment, but essentially a systemic shift in transportation models and a reduction of mineral consumption is necessary for climate action For long term resilience in terms of both the environment and global trade, Indonesia has the opportunity to invest in public welfare, green education for workers, and economic diversification beyond nickel