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Author	Asst Prof Jerry Shalmont
Organisation/Institution	Universitas Pelita Harapan, Faculty of Law
Country	INDONESIA
Panel	Environmental Law
Title	Waste-to-Energy in Indonesia: Addressing Environmental, Commercial, and Funding Challenges for Effective Waste Management
Abstract	In 2023, 38 landfills in Indonesia caught fire due to unmanaged waste producing methane gas, highlighting the need for proactive waste management solutions. Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants offer a potential solution by converting waste into electricity, but only three of the targeted 12 regions have developed WtE plants since the Presidential Regulation 35/2018. The challenges include both non-commercial concerns, such as environmental criticism of WtE as a superficial solution, and commercial barriers, such as high investment costs and limited regional budgets, with waste management funding often under 1% of local budgets. This paper argues that WtE can be effective if combined with upstream waste management, including waste sorting as mandated by the Law 18/2008. To overcome funding constraints, local governments should explore alternative financing options and increase revenue through fines on waste-intensive businesses.
Biography	Jerry Shalmont is a full-time lecturer and Deputy Head of the Bachelor of Law program at UPH Law School, where she earned both her Bachelor of Laws and Master's degrees in International Trade, Investment, and Competition & Policy. With expertise in Commercial and International Trade Law, she teaches a variety of courses, including Civil Law, Commercial Law, Contract Law, International Trade Law, International Treaty Law, International & Regional Organizations, and Legal Skills. Her research interests span sustainability, consumer protection, and data privacy. In addition to her academic role, Jerry serves as Of Counsel at JWK Law Firm, where she works on various WTO cases involving the Government of Indonesia.