Indonesia Climate Journalism Training 2026: Virtual Workshop for Reporting on Business and Climate Change

If you are a journalist in Indonesia who keeps bumping into stories about coal plants, EV incentives, ESG reports, or carbon credits and thinking, “I know this matters, but I need sharper tools to cover it properly,” this workshop has your name all over it.

The EJN Virtual Media Workshop to Strengthen Reporting on Business Engagement with Climate Change in Indonesia 2026 is not just another webinar series you half-watch while answering WhatsApp messages. It is a tightly focused, five-session training designed to help Indonesian journalists cover one of the biggest stories of this decade: how business, money, and policy are shaping the country’s climate future.

Crucially, this is about business and climate, not just melting ice caps. You will look at how Indonesian companies are rebranding coal, selling “green” products, chasing carbon credits, and responding to regulations—along with who pays the price when the stories are told badly or not at all.

You also get something tangible at the end: a certificate of completion from EJN and eligibility to apply for a story grant specifically for participants. For a journalist, that is basically being handed both a sharper pen and a potential commission.

The workshop runs online over five afternoons in January 2026, keeping it accessible to journalists across Indonesia, from national newsrooms in Jakarta to community radio in Papua.

Below is everything you need to know—and how to give yourself the best shot at being one of the 30 journalists selected.

Opportunity at a Glance

What This Workshop Really Offers Journalists in Indonesia

Think of this workshop as an intensive, topic-specific boot camp for climate-and-business reporting.

First, you get structured, focused learning. Instead of trying to piece together climate nuance from press releases and corporate webinars, you will hear directly from subject-matter experts on energy transition, technology, ESG, carbon markets, and climate finance—each tackled in a dedicated 2-hour session. That means you can finally ask the questions you usually do not get to ask in a rushed press conference.

Then, you get context tailored to Indonesia. This is not generic “global climate news 101.” Sessions are built around Indonesian industrial sectors, local regulation, domestic and international finance flows, and real examples of business claims versus actual impact. If you cover mining in Kalimantan, EV policies in Java, palm oil in Sumatra, or tourism in Bali, you will recognize the stories they are talking about.

You also gain story ideas and practical angles. The workshop is not meant to leave you with only theory. A key part of the design is space for journalists to discuss possible story pathways, identify underreported angles in their own regions, and start sketching story ideas you could later pitch for EJN story grants.

Beyond that, the benefits include:

• Certificate of completion from EJN, which you can show editors, employers, or funders as evidence of specialized training.
• Priority access to follow-up story grants for participants who attend all sessions. This is a direct path from training to funded reporting.
• A peer network of up to 30 journalists across Indonesia who care about climate and business reporting. These relationships often outlast the workshop itself—think shared sources, joint investigations, and tips on data and documents.

If you have ever felt outgunned by corporate PR teams when covering climate topics, this workshop is designed to even the odds.

What You Will Learn: Themes and Session Focus

The workshop is structured around five big themes, each of which can generate months of stories if you know where to look.

Day 1 – Energy Transition and Industrial Sectors in Indonesia (including greenwashing)
You look at the so-called “energy transition” in Indonesia: what is actually changing, what stays the same, and who is trying to mask business-as-usual as climate action. Expect discussion on coal, renewable targets, industrial players, and plenty of greenwashing tactics—for instance:

• Companies sponsoring tree-planting while expanding coal capacity
• “Net zero” pledges that rely heavily on offsets instead of real cuts
• Misleading advertising about “clean coal” or “eco-friendly” fuels

You will learn what red flags to watch for in corporate sustainability claims and how to challenge them with data and regulations.

Day 2 – Technology Transformation and New Business Opportunities in Renewable Energy
This is where things get more forward-looking. From solar and wind to electric vehicles and energy storage, you examine:

• Who controls these new markets in Indonesia
• How tech companies and utilities are repositioning themselves
• Where the opportunities and risks lie for workers and communities

You will walk away better equipped to separate genuine innovation from buzzword-driven hype.

Day 3 – ESG Implementation (Regulations and Private Sector Involvement)
ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) is now sprinkled across corporate reports, but what does it actually mean in practice?

You get clarity on:

• What ESG regulations exist or are emerging in Indonesia
• How companies report on ESG—and where data is missing or weak
• How ESG ratings and disclosures affect investment decisions

This helps you move from simply quoting ESG scores to asking: Do these ESG claims translate into real-world environmental and social outcomes?

Day 4 – Carbon Markets (Mechanics, Green and Blue Carbon)
Carbon markets can be confusing, even for experienced reporters. This session breaks down:

• How voluntary and compliance carbon markets work
• The difference between green carbon (forests, land-based ecosystems) and blue carbon (mangroves, seagrass, coastal ecosystems)
• Who profits, who bears the risk, and what communities experience on the ground

You will learn how to read carbon project documentation more critically and question “offset” claims in corporate sustainability plans.

Day 5 – Climate Finance: International and Domestic
If climate change is partly a story about money, this is the follow the money session. You will examine:

• How international climate funds interact with Indonesian projects
• The role of banks, investors, and public budgets
• How climate finance decisions affect everyday life, from electricity tariffs to public transport to land rights

After these five sessions, you will not become an economist, but you will absolutely be better equipped to ask sharp financial questions about climate projects.

Who Should Apply (and Realistic Examples of Good Fits)

This workshop is open to journalists across Indonesia, regardless of medium or region. If you see yourself anywhere in these examples, you are probably a strong candidate:

• You are a local radio reporter in Kalimantan who keeps covering coal-related protests but wants to understand the industry’s long-term plans and the national policy context.
• You are a staff reporter at a national daily in Jakarta, assigned to the business or economic desk, and your editor expects you to cover energy and corporate sustainability but you want deeper knowledge and sources.
• You are a freelance journalist pitching to Indonesian or international outlets, and you want to build a niche in climate, energy, or environmental business reporting.
• You are an early-career journalist who has mostly covered general news, but you are increasingly drawn to climate and want a more specialized direction.

The opportunity is open to all media types: online, print, TV, and radio; from small community outlets to large national organizations. Freelancers and staff journalists are both welcome.

The organizers especially encourage:

• Women journalists
• Journalists based in rural areas or outside big cities
• Indigenous journalists
• Early-career reporters who may not yet have specialized climate bylines but have clear interest and motivation

One more critical detail: use of generative AI. Applicants must be honest about whether they used tools like ChatGPT in preparing their proposals. EJN reserves the right to disqualify candidates who submit AI-generated content as if it were entirely their own work. That means: draft in your own voice, use tools thoughtfully if at all, and be transparent. Treat this like you would treat plagiarism: avoid it.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

You only have 30 seats to compete for, across all of Indonesia. That is selective, but not impossible. Here is how to give yourself an edge.

1. Show a clear link between your work and the workshop themes
Do not just say, “I am interested in climate change.” Instead, be specific:

• “I cover the industrial corridor in West Java where several coal plants and new manufacturing facilities are located, and I want to better analyze their transition plans.”
• “My outlet is starting a weekly segment on renewable energy, and I need deeper understanding of technology and finance.”

Connect your existing beat to energy transition, ESG, carbon markets, or climate finance.

2. Demonstrate that you will actually use the training
Organizers want participants who translate training into stories. Mention:

• A series you are planning
• A longform investigation you would like to pursue
• How you plan to share knowledge with your newsroom or community radio colleagues

If you intend to apply for the post-workshop story grant, say so and explain what kind of story you have in mind.

3. Highlight your reach or unique audience
You do not need to work for a big outlet to be competitive. If you are at a small station in Eastern Indonesia but reach a community close to mining, plantations, or coastal ecosystems, that is a strong selling point. Emphasize:

• Your audience
• The regions you cover
• Why better business-climate reporting would matter there

4. Emphasize diversity and underrepresented perspectives
If you are a woman journalist, Indigenous reporter, or based outside Java, make that clear and connect it to how you report. For example:

“As a Papuan journalist, I cover communities directly impacted by resource extraction, but climate and finance angles are rarely explored in local media. This training would help me bring those dimensions into our reporting.”

That shows both diversity and concrete value.

5. Be honest and thoughtful about AI
If you used AI at any point—say, to outline your ideas—state that briefly and explain how you edited and made the work your own. A short, honest note is far better than pretending you did not use any tools and risking disqualification.

6. Write your application like a short, sharp story pitch
Clear, precise, and readable. Avoid buzzwords. Show you can communicate complex topics simply—that is exactly the skill this workshop is meant to strengthen.

Application Timeline: Working Backward from December 15, 2025

You do not need months to apply, but you should not leave this to the final evening either.

• By late October – early November 2025: Decide that you want to apply. Start collecting links to 2–3 of your strongest stories, especially those related to environment, energy, business, or public policy.

• By mid-November 2025: Draft your application answers. Focus on why this workshop is relevant to your current beat and how you will use what you learn. If your editor is supportive, ask whether you can mention any upcoming projects or series.

• Late November – early December 2025: Revise your answers. Cut vague phrases. Be specific about story ideas and regions you cover. If possible, have a colleague read your draft and ask them to point out what is unclear.

• By December 10, 2025: Aim to submit. Do not wait until December 15. Technical issues, log-in trouble, or a slow internet connection can ruin last-minute submissions. Submitting early also signals professionalism.

• Second week of January 2026: This is when successful applicants are expected to be notified. Keep an eye on your email (including spam/junk folders) and be ready to confirm quickly.

Required Materials and How to Prepare Them

The call does not list every field in the application form, but based on similar EJN opportunities, you should be ready with:

• Basic personal and contact information: Full name, email, phone, location, media outlet (or “freelance”), and role. Check spelling and make sure your contact info is current.

• Professional background: A short summary of your journalism experience—what beats you cover, how long you have been reporting, and for which outlets. Focus on work most relevant to climate, business, or public policy.

• Samples of your work: Usually 2–3 links or attachments. Choose pieces that show you can handle complex issues and that demonstrate initiative—investigations, explanatory features, or strong local reporting. If you don’t have climate-specific stories yet, pick ones that show depth and seriousness (e.g., corruption, environment, or economic reporting).

• Motivation statement: This is often the heart of your application. Explain:

  • Why you care about business-climate reporting in Indonesia
  • What specific knowledge gaps you want to fill
  • How it will directly shape your work in 2026

• Short idea or interest areas for future stories: You might be asked what kind of stories you want to produce after the workshop. Come prepared with 2–3 possible angles: perhaps one on energy transition, another on carbon markets, another on local climate finance.

• AI transparency note: If the application asks about generative AI use (and it likely will), answer directly and briefly.

Keep all documents and text clear, concise, and in your own voice. Think like a reporter: specific, factual, and grounded.

What Makes an Application Stand Out to Reviewers

While EJN does not publish its scoring rubric, strong applications usually shine in a few ways:

1. Clear relevance to the workshop themes
You show that the core topics—energy transition, technology, ESG, carbon markets, and climate finance—are already part of your work, your beat, or your planned reporting. Reviewers should be able to say, “If we train this person, it will immediately affect the quality of stories being published or aired.”

2. Demonstrated commitment to climate or public interest journalism
You do not need to have “climate reporter” in your title, but you should show a track record of serious reporting on issues that affect communities, environment, or governance. Even a small portfolio can show this if the stories are strong.

3. Potential for impact
If your outlet has broad reach, that helps, but so does high impact in smaller communities. For example, a community radio station whose stories influence local decision-making can be incredibly powerful. Make that visible.

4. Diversity of voices and geography
Workshops like this often seek a balance—national and local media, different islands and provinces, a mix of genders and backgrounds. If you can bring a perspective that is underrepresented in national coverage, emphasize it.

5. Strong, honest writing in the application itself
Your application is your first writing sample. Reviewers will notice if you can explain complex issues simply, or if you can frame clear questions you want to answer through your reporting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (and How to Fix Them)

1. Vague motivation like “I want to learn more about climate change”
This does not help reviewers distinguish you from dozens of other applicants. Fix it by tying your motivation to specific beats, regions, and story types.

2. Claiming interest in topics you never touch in your reporting
If you are mostly covering lifestyle or entertainment, you can still apply—but you need to explain how you plan to shift toward business-climate reporting, not pretend you already do it.

3. Overstating experience or hiding gaps
If you are early in your career, say so. Focus on your curiosity, your audience, and your willingness to deepen your skills. Reviewers do not expect everyone to be a veteran.

4. Ignoring the AI rule
Submitting text that sounds like it was copied from a generic AI output, without transparency, is risky. Write in your natural style. If you used digital tools for drafting or grammar checks, own up briefly.

5. Waiting until the last day and rushing
Rushed applications are obvious: generic answers, careless typos, half-finished thoughts. Give yourself time to think, rewrite, and polish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a full-time journalist?
No. Freelancers are explicitly welcome, as long as you are actively publishing or broadcasting work and can show where your stories appear.

Do I have to be based in Jakarta?
Not at all. The workshop is fully virtual, scheduled from 4:00–6:00 PM Jakarta time. You can join from anywhere in Indonesia, as long as you have a stable internet connection.

Is there a fee to participate?
The call does not mention a fee. EJN workshops are typically free for selected participants. If cost is a concern, you can check the official page, but this is almost certainly free training if you are selected.

What language will the workshop be in?
The announcement does not specify, but given the national focus and EJN’s usual practice, you can reasonably expect Indonesian to be the main working language, potentially with some English materials. The official page will confirm.

Will I automatically get a story grant after the workshop?
No. Participation makes you eligible to apply for a story grant, but you will still need to submit a strong proposal afterward. The workshop, however, should help you design stronger, more informed pitches.

What if I cannot attend all five sessions?
Participants who complete all sessions receive certificates and become eligible for the story grants. If you know in advance that you will miss multiple sessions, you will likely be less competitive, and even if selected, you may miss the key benefits. Aim to commit fully.

Can I apply if I am an editor, not a reporter?
Editors who directly oversee climate, business, or environment coverage often benefit a lot from this kind of training. If you are an assigning editor who can influence story choices and angles, mention that clearly.

What happens if my internet connection drops during a session?
Short disruptions happen; they are part of online life. However, you should aim to have a reliable connection and a backup plan if possible (e.g., mobile data). If your connectivity is very unstable, mention your situation in advance or prepare alternative ways to join (phone, hotspots, etc.).

How to Apply and Next Steps

Here is a simple step-by-step plan:

1. Read the official call carefully.
   Go to the official application page to confirm any updated details and see the full requirements.

2. Prepare your materials.
   Compile 2–3 of your strongest stories, polish your motivation statement, and think through the business-climate stories you want to pursue in 2026.

3. Block out the January dates.
   Add January 22, 23, 24, 30, and 31, 2026 (4:00–6:00 PM Jakarta time) to your calendar now. Show in your own mind—and in your application—that you can actually attend.

4. Complete the online application.
   Fill in every field carefully, answer questions directly, and review your answers for clarity and authenticity. Submit before December 15, 2025, ideally a few days earlier.

5. Watch your inbox in January 2026.
   If you are selected, you should hear in the second week of January 2026. Respond quickly to confirm your participation.

Ready to apply? Visit the official opportunity page here:

Apply Now:
https://earthjournalism.us.auth0.com/u/login?state=hKFo2SBUazAzWmhUWmY5eDd3dVhGeGM1UVhINE9DdzAtNjI3Y6Fur3VuaXZlcnNhbC1sb2dpbqN0aWTZIGd5NjVHQXNPYlRsYXhYY3Z2NmNNSnNjVnZWamhORmNmo2NpZNkgM1FXQUR2SUVLdktHMkt6UzFOazRaUWJUb3N4ME5YcW0

If you are serious about reporting how Indonesian business is shaping the climate future—from coal exit plans to ESG reports to carbon deals—this workshop is absolutely worth the application effort.