This blog from TPP Principal Niki Palmer considers the importance of ideas of nature for action on climate and environment. Unlike interests, ideas are not always fully considered in political economy analysis. Yet ideas help to define action in relation to the natural world, including through global negotiations at the COPs. This blog challenges us to consider ideas more closely, suggesting that through doing so more innovative pathways forward can be found that work with and for nature, not against it. 

Photo credit: ANTARA / Mudaffar Fauzan

On Sunday 20 October, Prabowo Subianto was inaugurated as the President of Indonesia. This blog explores the implications for the drive for electric vehicles (EV). Indonesia has made bold strides in developing an EV value chain. But the sector now faces major constraints including: reputational damage due to the environmental harm of mining and processing; challenges in accessing major Western markets; fiscal constraints and competing priorities under the new government; and the active promotion of a different model by manufacturers. The blog suggests ways in which external partners could work with Indonesia to support the resolution of these issues. 

Based on his experiences in Kenya and Nepal, TPP Associate Richard Holloway argues that community level political economy analyses need to be carried out by local actors who have some “skin in the game” to solve local issues.