On Thursday (6/3), the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), held the official launch (kick-off) of the Indonesia CCS Youth (ICCS Youth) at the Mochtar Riady Quantum Plaza (MRPQ) Auditorium. This event marked the establishment of the world’s first student chapter focused specifically on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) as part of national decarbonization efforts and the energy transition toward Net Zero Emissions.
The launch event was attended by several prominent figures, including Jodi Mahardi, Deputy for Maritime and Energy Sovereignty Coordination and Special Staff at the National Energy Council (DEN); Dr. Belladonna Maulianda, Executive Director of the Indonesia CCS Center; as well as members of the FTUI deanery. The event also received strong support from various student organizations in the energy sector, including IATMI SMUI, SRE UI, and SPE UI, reflecting the high enthusiasm of the younger generation toward energy transition and decarbonization issues.
“Net Zero Emission cannot be pursued through a sectoral or partial approach. Youth involvement in the development of CCS is essential, as they are the agents of change who will carry the torch of Indonesia’s energy transition,” said Jodi Mahardi in his opening remarks.
In addition, Dr. Belladonna Maulianda, Executive Director of the Indonesia CCS Center, emphasized that the launch of ICCS Youth is a significant first step in building an inclusive and collaborative CCS ecosystem. “Indonesia needs cross-sector collaboration grounded in science, innovation, and collective awareness. ICCS Youth is a strategic platform for students to develop competencies and build networks in the field of CCS,” explained Dr. Belladonna.
“The launch of Indonesia CCS Youth at FTUI is clear proof that Indonesian youth are ready to take on strategic roles in addressing the challenges of climate change. We believe that through collaboration among academics, industry, and youth communities, Indonesia can become a key player in the development of Carbon Capture and Storage technology toward a net zero emission future,” stated Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., Dean of FTUI.
As part of the event series, participants joined various discussion sessions covering key CCS topics from technical, policy, and strategic youth perspectives. These included the session “CCS 101 and Indonesia’s Path to Becoming Asia’s CCS Hub” presented by Diofanny Swandrina Putri, followed by a presentation from Evan Lukas, Chair of IICCS 2025, on the importance of community support and youth involvement in CCS development. Ngurah Beni Setiawan from IATMI’s Research Division also shared insights on CCS technology innovations and career prospects in the low-carbon energy sector.
In addition to presentations, the event also featured an open discussion session that brought together stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and civil society. This forum served as a collaborative space to strengthen understanding and cross-sector synergy in supporting the implementation of CCS technology in Indonesia.
ICCS Youth was established as a platform for young people to learn, discuss, and contribute to carbon emission reduction solutions through CCS technology. With growing global attention on decarbonization technologies, this initiative aims to provide broader opportunities for Indonesian students and youth to participate. FTUI hopes that events like this will serve as effective communication bridges between the academic community and the industrial world, while encouraging ongoing collaboration toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
***
Public Communication Office
Faculty of Engineering Universitas Indonesia