KAI Develops Net Zero Emission Strategy, Strengthening Rail's Role in Indonesia's Energy Transition

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) has formulated a Net Zero Emission Strategy as a long-term measure to reduce emissions and support Indonesia’s net zero emission target by 2060. The strategy was presented during an event titled Towards a Green Rail Future: Delivering a Decarbonized Railway in Indonesia at the Four Points by Sheraton Jakarta on Thursday, supported by the UK Government through the UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transition (UK PACT) programme, implemented by Palladium together with Kynergy Consulting. The formulation of this strategy is aligned with Presidential Regulation Number 110 of 2025 concerning climate change mitigation in the transport sector. Through this strategy, KAI has established four main emission reduction pathways: railway line electrification, operational efficiency improvements, utilisation of cleaner energy, and carbon absorption through greening programmes. This move stems from rail’s position as one of the transport modes with relatively low emission levels. Based on a study presented at the event, railways account for approximately 1 percent of the national transport sector’s total greenhouse gas emissions, whereas road vehicles account for around 89 percent. KAI’s Vice President of Corporate Communication, Anne Purba, stated that rail-based transport plays an important role in supporting the national energy transition agenda because it can serve large-scale mobility with lower emissions. ‘Railways have advantages in terms of energy efficiency and emissions. Through the Net Zero Emission Strategy, KAI is preparing long-term steps so that railway service development aligns with national energy transition targets and the community’s continually evolving mobility needs,’ Anne said. One of the primary steps KAI is taking is expanding the use of electric power for railway services. Currently, electrified railway lines reach 1,038.7 kilometres, covering the KRL Commuter Line, LRT Jabodebek, and Whoosh services. Operationally, KAI is also running various energy efficiency programmes and implementing EDGE Green Building certification at stations, depots, and offices. These efforts are aimed at reducing energy consumption while improving the company’s operational efficiency. In the energy aspect, KAI continues to increase the use of more environmentally friendly fuels. Biodiesel usage has progressed from B0 in 2017 to B40 in 2025 and will continue towards B50 in 2026. Additionally, KAI is utilising solar energy through the installation of solar panels with a total capacity of 3,435.5 kWp across 66 operational locations. These emission reduction efforts are complemented by a tree-planting programme. From 2021 to 2025, KAI has planted 107,757 trees across various operational areas as part of carbon absorption. Through the established strategy, KAI targets an emission reduction of 25.76 percent, equivalent to 166,873 tonnes of CO2e, by 2030 from a baseline emission of 647,785 tonnes of CO2e. The target increases to 33.55 percent by 2035 and 78.17 percent by 2050. By 2060, KAI targets the achievement of Net Zero Emission, with a total emission reduction reaching 1,093,311 tonnes of CO2e. In her presentation, KAI’s Vice President of Sustainability, Tria Mutiari Melian, explained that KAI has a significant role in supporting the national transport sector’s decarbonisation agenda. ‘As the backbone of national mass transportation, KAI has an important role in supporting the transition towards a low-carbon economy. The resulting studies and recommendations will be aligned with long-term policy development and the decarbonisation roadmap for the national transport sector,’ Tria said. The study conducted together with UK PACT and Kynergy Consulting also shows that rail-based modes have low emission levels. The LRT Jabodebek produces about 15 grams of CO2-eq per passenger-kilometre, Intercity Trains produce 16.43 grams of CO2-eq per passenger-kilometre, and the KRL Commuter Line produces 34.03 grams of CO2-eq per passenger-kilometre. The support from UK PACT and Kynergy Consulting in formulating this strategy includes a study on B50 implementation, an analysis of accelerating the transition from diesel trains to electric trains, modernising the signalling system, and developing financing instruments that open opportunities for access to various international green financing sources. At the same occasion, Kynergy Consulting’s Project Director, Rekyan Eckersley, said that strengthening railway services is an essential part of efforts to reduce transport sector emissions. ‘Railways are a relatively low-emission mode. Strengthening the capacity and attractiveness of its services is a crucial part of Indonesia’s long-term national transport sector decarbonisation roadmap, and we are proud to assist KAI in strengthening these strategic steps,’ Rekyan said. Anne concluded that the success of the energy transition requires collaboration from various parties so that its benefits can be felt more widely. ‘Collaboration between government, businesses, financial institutions, and international development partners is a key factor in accelerating the development of low-carbon transport. Railways have a significant opportunity to strengthen their contribution to national emission reduction targets while supporting increasingly efficient community mobility,’ Anne concluded.