“You cannot achieve sustainable aviation without sustainable professionals.”
— ICAO Environmental Report, 2022
As of January 2024, international aviation has entered a new chapter. Airlines worldwide are now required to report and manage their carbon emissions under CORSIA — the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation — set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Indonesia has declared its commitment to the program. But one fundamental question remains: are our aviation professionals ready for this global environmental mandate?
Green-Savvy Workforce: Still a Distant Dream
According to IATA’s Aviation Workforce Development Report (2022), Southeast Asia — including Indonesia — faces a significant shortage of aviation professionals with expertise in environmental compliance and carbon management. In Indonesia, it is estimated that less than 15% of aviation vocational graduates receive structured training on sustainability concepts, such as carbon offsetting, green logistics, or ICAO’s environmental frameworks.
While global aviation moves towards green transformation, most Indonesian aviation schools still focus heavily on traditional aeronautical skills, with little exposure to environmental modules. The 2023 ICAO Environmental Trends Report also notes that “environmental literacy in aviation training remains low in developing countries,” posing long-term challenges to compliance and innovation.
This gap in green competencies threatens to derail Indonesia’s ability to meet international aviation climate targets and integrate into the evolving global supply chain.
The World Is Sprinting, Indonesia Is Still Walking
While CORSIA was initially voluntary in 2021, by 2027 it becomes mandatory for all ICAO member states. That gives Indonesia less than three years to align its systems — and more importantly, its people.
Countries like Singapore, the UAE, and Qatar have embedded green aviation literacy into their aviation schools and built specialized carbon management units within their airlines and airports. Some are even exporting their best practices through ICAO’s TrainAir Plus programs.
In contrast, most Indonesian carriers still rely on manual reporting, and there’s a shortage of carbon compliance officers trained to meet ICAO’s Emissions Unit Criteria (EUC). Only a handful of airports have installed real-time emission tracking technologies.
Why This Matters for Indonesia
As the world’s largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia depends heavily on aviation for logistics, economic access, and national connectivity. Failure to meet CORSIA obligations could lead to international route restrictions, carbon penalties, or reputational damage in the eyes of global regulators and passengers alike.
Moreover, the success of Indonesia’s climate diplomacy — including its commitments at COP28 and the 2060 Net Zero Emissions goal — will be measured in sectors like aviation. Without a skilled workforce that can implement green standards, our climate pledges will remain hollow.
Three Strategic Moves
- Green Aviation in the Curriculum
Indonesia must mandate the integration of carbon accounting, sustainable flight operations, and green airport design into the core curriculum of all aviation vocational institutions under the Ministry of Transportation. This reform should be backed by national curriculum standards and supported by partnerships with industry stakeholders, ensuring real-world applicability. Instructor upskilling programs, international certification schemes, and the adoption of ICAO’s Training Package (ITP) on Environmental Protection should be prioritized to bridge the current knowledge gap.
- National Center for Aviation Sustainability
A dedicated center for aviation environmental training and research should be established under Ministry of Transportation, serving as a national anchor for sustainability capacity-building. This hub would offer specialized courses on emission monitoring, fuel efficiency technologies, and ICAO’s CORSIA compliance. By partnering with ICAO’s TrainAir Plus, IATA’s Environment Assessment Program (IEnvA), and institutions such as UNDP and ASEAN Air Transport Working Groups, Indonesia can build a globally recognized talent pipeline and facilitate regional knowledge exchange.
- A 2045 Roadmap for Environmental Competence
Indonesia needs a long-term strategic framework — a 2045 Roadmap for Sustainable Aviation Talent — that defines progressive targets every five years. This roadmap should outline national competency standards, forecast labor demands, and map out training pathways aligned with ICAO environmental benchmarks. It must be cross-ministerial, involving Bappenas, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and Ministry of Manpower, ensuring that human capital development is embedded in Indonesia’s broader decarbonization agenda.
Conclusion: No Green Skies Without Green Minds
Sustainable aviation is not just about modern aircraft or digital systems. Without competent professionals who grasp the environmental dimension of aviation, even the best regulations are bound to fail in practice.
Indonesia has built new airports and procured modern fleets — but has yet to invest proportionally in the invisible infrastructure: its people. While others train green professionals, we risk being left behind if we do not act swiftly.
Green aviation is already here. Now is the time to prepare the minds that will make it fly.
