Indonesian Climate Justice Review
Indonesian Climate Justice Review (e-ISSN: 3164-2284) is published by COLLEGIUM JUSTICIA INDONESIA, first published in 2024, and issued quarterly in January, April, July, and October in online format (electronic journal). It is a peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary scholarship on climate justice, with a particular focus on Indonesia and the Global South. The journal provides an academic platform for scholars, researchers, legal practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to examine the intersections of climate change, environmental law, human rights, indigenous peoples’ rights, socio-economic inequality, and sustainable development from a justice-oriented perspective. The journal publishes original research articles, review articles, conceptual studies, policy analyses, case studies, and other scholarly works addressing climate governance, environmental policies, legal frameworks, climate adaptation and mitigation, environmental justice, indigenous and local community rights, sustainable development, and the protection of vulnerable and marginalized communities. The journal welcomes interdisciplinary contributions from environmental law, human rights, political ecology, development studies, climate science, international law, economics, sociology, indigenous studies, and related fields. Particular emphasis is placed on community engagement, participatory justice, equitable climate action, inclusive legal frameworks, community-based resilience, and evidence-based policy reform. The journal applies a double-anonymous peer-review process and an Open Access Policy, providing free and immediate access to all published articles. Copyright is retained by the authors, and all articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.
Articles
55 Documents
<![CDATA[Climate Justice from the Margins: Indigenous Voices in Indonesia’s Climate Crisis ]]>
<![CDATA[Ibrahim Fuad Amrullah]]>
<![CDATA[ Indonesian Climate Justice Review Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): January, 2024 ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[COLLEGIUM JUSTICIA INDONESIA ]]>
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DOI: 10.65815/mqzv8w35
<![CDATA[This paper explores the intersection of climate justice and Indigenous rights in Indonesia, focusing on how Indigenous communities—often marginalized in environmental policy discourse—are both disproportionately affected by and actively responding to the climate crisis. Drawing on case studies from Kalimantan, Papua, and the Mentawai Islands, the research highlights the lived experiences, traditional ecological knowledge, and resistance strategies of Indigenous peoples confronting deforestation, land dispossession, and climate-related displacement. While national and international climate frameworks frequently overlook or tokenize Indigenous participation, this study argues that meaningful climate justice must center their voices and agency. By engaging with critical Indigenous scholarship and conducting semi-structured interviews with community leaders and activists, the paper reveals how climate policies in Indonesia often exacerbate structural inequalities, reinforcing extractive development models under the guise of sustainability. In contrast, Indigenous cosmologies and land stewardship practices offer alternative paradigms for ecological resilience and adaptation. The paper contends that the Indonesian state’s recognition of Indigenous land rights remains insufficient and inconsistent, undermining both environmental and social equity goals. The primary contribution of this study lies in its amplification of Indigenous epistemologies as essential to reimagining climate governance in Indonesia. It challenges dominant narratives that frame Indigenous communities as passive victims or romanticized stewards, instead portraying them as political agents with valuable insights into sustainable living. By situating Indigenous voices at the core of climate justice debates, the paper advances a decolonial approach to environmental policy that is both contextually grounded and globally relevant.]]>
<![CDATA[A Just Energy Transition? Opportunities and Challenges for Post-Coal Indonesia ]]>
<![CDATA[Wawan Masruhan]]>;
<![CDATA[Shafiyya Malik]]>
<![CDATA[ Indonesian Climate Justice Review Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): January, 2024 ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[COLLEGIUM JUSTICIA INDONESIA ]]>
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DOI: 10.65815/3zvxt515
<![CDATA[This paper critically examines the prospects for a just energy transition in Indonesia as the country begins to shift away from coal dependency toward renewable energy sources. Indonesia, one of the world’s largest coal producers, faces mounting domestic and international pressure to decarbonize its energy sector in line with global climate commitments. However, the transition raises complex questions about justice, equity, and governance—particularly for coal-dependent regions and labor forces whose livelihoods are intricately tied to the fossil fuel economy. Through a multi-scalar analysis combining policy review, expert interviews, and regional case studies in East Kalimantan and South Sumatra, this study investigates how the concept of a “just transition” is interpreted and operationalized within the Indonesian context. Findings reveal significant challenges, including policy fragmentation, weak institutional capacity, and the risk of reproducing existing socio-economic inequalities in the shift to green energy. Furthermore, large-scale renewable energy projects often mirror the extractive logic of coal, displacing communities and undermining local participation. The paper’s key contribution lies in its critical engagement with the normative dimensions of energy transition. It argues that without strong frameworks for procedural justice, labor retraining, and inclusive decision-making, Indonesia’s energy transition may remain unjust and uneven. By foregrounding the voices of workers, local communities, and civil society actors, the study underscores the need for a socially responsive approach to energy governance. Ultimately, it calls for a transition model that not only reduces emissions but also redistributes power and benefits equitably across Indonesian society.]]>
<![CDATA[Women and Climate Change: A Gender-Based Analysis of Rural Climate Resilience ]]>
<![CDATA[Aprila Niravita]]>;
<![CDATA[Fadhel Arjuna Adinda]]>;
<![CDATA[Winda Rahma Santosa]]>
<![CDATA[ Indonesian Climate Justice Review Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): January, 2024 ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[COLLEGIUM JUSTICIA INDONESIA ]]>
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DOI: 10.65815/xby76g33
<![CDATA[This paper presents a gender-based analysis of climate resilience in rural communities, focusing on the often-overlooked role of women in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Drawing on field research from rural regions in Indonesia and complemented by a review of global gender-climate frameworks, the study examines how women’s experiences, responsibilities, and knowledge systems shape their responses to environmental challenges. It argues that while rural women are disproportionately affected by climate-related stresses—such as water scarcity, agricultural decline, and natural disasters—they also possess unique adaptive capacities rooted in local knowledge, caregiving roles, and community networks. Through qualitative interviews, participatory observation, and policy analysis, the research identifies key structural barriers that limit women's access to resources, decision-making processes, and climate adaptation programs. These include gendered land tenure systems, limited financial and technical support, and socio-cultural norms that undervalue women’s labor and leadership. At the same time, the paper documents instances where women have emerged as pivotal actors in grassroots climate initiatives, sustainable agriculture, and disaster risk management. The paper’s primary contribution is its call for the integration of gender justice into climate resilience planning at both national and community levels. It challenges technocratic, gender-neutral adaptation models and highlights the importance of intersectional approaches that consider class, ethnicity, and local context. By centering women's voices and agency, the study advocates for inclusive climate strategies that recognize women not merely as vulnerable populations, but as key agents of transformative change in the face of the climate crisis.]]>
<![CDATA[Climate Crisis, Social Crisis: Measuring Inequality in Climate Impact Across Eastern Indonesia ]]>
<![CDATA[Nugrah Putri Ariska]]>;
<![CDATA[Johan Simbolon]]>
<![CDATA[ Indonesian Climate Justice Review Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): January, 2024 ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[COLLEGIUM JUSTICIA INDONESIA ]]>
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DOI: 10.65815/rv2brk86
<![CDATA[The climate crisis is not only an environmental issue but also a profound social challenge, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. In Indonesia—an archipelagic nation highly vulnerable to climate change—this disparity is especially pronounced in the eastern regions, which face both ecological fragility and systemic underdevelopment. This research investigates the intersection of climate vulnerability and social inequality across Eastern Indonesia, employing a multidimensional framework to measure differential climate impacts among provinces such as Nusa Tenggara Timur, Maluku, and Papua. Drawing on climate exposure data, socio-economic indicators, and adaptive capacity metrics, we develop a Climate Inequality Index (CII) tailored to the Indonesian context. The findings reveal that regions with lower income levels, limited infrastructure, and weaker governance structures suffer significantly greater climate burdens, despite contributing minimally to global emissions. The study’s key contribution lies in its empirical quantification of inequality in climate impact at a sub-national level, offering a nuanced lens for assessing vulnerability beyond mere geographic exposure. By linking climate stressors to entrenched socio-political disparities, the research highlights how the climate crisis exacerbates existing social crises. Moreover, the Climate Inequality Index developed here provides a replicable model for policymakers and researchers aiming to target interventions more equitably. The results underscore the urgent need for climate justice frameworks in national adaptation strategies, particularly for peripheral regions often excluded from policy discourse. This research advances the conversation on climate equity in Southeast Asia and offers practical insights for integrating social justice into environmental governance.]]>
<![CDATA[Green Colonialism at Home? A Critical Look at 'Sustainable' Projects on Indigenous Lands ]]>
<![CDATA[Amalia Justicio Kusumaningrum]]>;
<![CDATA[Wibowo Adi Kurnia]]>
<![CDATA[ Indonesian Climate Justice Review Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): January, 2024 ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[COLLEGIUM JUSTICIA INDONESIA ]]>
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DOI: 10.65815/66qn1z05
<![CDATA[As climate action accelerates globally, “sustainable development” initiatives have proliferated across Indigenous territories, often framed as necessary steps toward a green transition. However, many of these projects—ranging from renewable energy installations to conservation zones and carbon offset schemes—risk reproducing patterns of dispossession and control under the guise of environmental progress. This research critically examines the phenomenon of "green colonialism" in the context of domestic policies, focusing on how ostensibly sustainable projects on Indigenous lands in Indonesia and comparable Global South settings intersect with histories of marginalization, land appropriation, and cultural erasure. Through qualitative case studies and policy analysis, this study reveals how state-backed and corporate-led sustainability efforts frequently bypass Indigenous consent, undermine traditional ecological knowledge, and impose external models of land use that conflict with local livelihoods. By tracing the discourses and power dynamics embedded in these interventions, the research exposes how environmental governance can become a vehicle for renewed colonial relations—this time justified by climate urgency. The study’s key contribution lies in reframing sustainability from a critical Indigenous perspective, challenging dominant narratives that equate “green” with “just.” It offers a framework for evaluating the legitimacy and equity of sustainability projects based on principles of self-determination, land rights, and cultural continuity. Ultimately, the research calls for a redefinition of sustainability—one that centers Indigenous agency and recognizes environmental justice as inseparable from decolonization. This work contributes to broader debates on green transition ethics, providing a grounded critique of how climate solutions can replicate the very systems they aim to transform.]]>
<![CDATA[Climate Justice and Environmental Law: Reform or Reinforcement of Inequality ]]>
<![CDATA[Yasmina Putri]]>;
<![CDATA[Ahmadi Muqorrobin]]>
<![CDATA[ Indonesian Climate Justice Review Vol. 1 No. 2 (2024): April, 2024 ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[COLLEGIUM JUSTICIA INDONESIA ]]>
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DOI: 10.65815/8wqsmv71
<![CDATA[This paper explores the intersection of climate justice and environmental law in Indonesia, critically assessing whether current legal frameworks serve to reform or reinforce social inequalities. Despite Indonesia’s commitment to international climate agreements like the Paris Accord, its domestic environmental policies frequently fail to prioritize the rights of marginalized communities—particularly indigenous peoples and low-income groups—who are most affected by climate change. Through an examination of key legislation, such as the Indonesian Climate Change Law, the paper reveals that current policies, driven by economic growth imperatives, often neglect vulnerable populations, thereby deepening socio-environmental disparities. The study also investigates the role of the judiciary in climate justice, questioning whether it provides meaningful access to legal remedies for those disproportionately harmed by environmental degradation. In contributing to both the national and international debate on climate justice, this research argues for a shift towards a more inclusive, rights-based legal approach that ensures the protection and empowerment of vulnerable communities in climate action. The paper also emphasizes the need for reform in Indonesia’s climate laws to address the existing legal gaps and environmental justice issues. This paper advances the climate justice discourse by offering a critical analysis of the potential for environmental law to either perpetuate or alleviate inequality. By highlighting the role of legal systems in promoting or obstructing equity, it calls for reforms that integrate human rights and social justice, offering lessons for global efforts to ensure fair and inclusive climate action.]]>
<![CDATA[Carbon Footprints, Inequity Imprints: Emission Disparities in Indonesia's Socioeconomic Landscape ]]>
<![CDATA[Ria Wulansarie]]>;
<![CDATA[Ridwan Arifin]]>;
<![CDATA[Rosyidi Hamzah]]>
<![CDATA[ Indonesian Climate Justice Review Vol. 1 No. 2 (2024): April, 2024 ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[COLLEGIUM JUSTICIA INDONESIA ]]>
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DOI: 10.65815/ymv0m232
<![CDATA[This paper investigates the disparities in carbon emissions across different socioeconomic groups in Indonesia, emphasizing the relationship between carbon footprints and social inequity. As one of the world’s largest emitters, Indonesia’s environmental policies often fail to consider the intersection of climate change with issues of social justice, particularly regarding the disproportionate environmental burdens borne by marginalized communities. While urban and industrial sectors contribute heavily to the nation’s carbon emissions, rural and indigenous populations, who contribute less to environmental degradation, face the harshest consequences, including displacement, health crises, and loss of livelihoods due to climate change. Through a legal and policy analysis, this paper critically examines how Indonesia’s environmental regulations, which predominantly focus on industrial emissions and urban development, often neglect the vulnerability of low-income and rural communities. It further explores the concept of "inequity imprints"—the social, economic, and health impacts that disproportionately affect these vulnerable groups—and assesses whether current legal frameworks can adequately address these disparities. By bridging the gap between environmental law, climate justice, and socioeconomic inequality, this paper contributes to both the domestic and international debates on climate justice. It advocates for policy reforms that integrate a more equitable distribution of environmental burdens and emphasize climate adaptation strategies for vulnerable communities. The findings offer critical insights into the need for a rights-based approach in addressing both environmental and social inequities, adding an important dimension to global discussions on sustainable development and climate action.]]>
<![CDATA[Net Zero for Whom? Evaluating Government Climate Programs Through a Justice Lens ]]>
<![CDATA[Agustin Dharmaputri]]>;
<![CDATA[Chica Putri Melati]]>
<![CDATA[ Indonesian Climate Justice Review Vol. 1 No. 2 (2024): April, 2024 ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[COLLEGIUM JUSTICIA INDONESIA ]]>
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DOI: 10.65815/rm9zfw30
<![CDATA[This paper critically evaluates government climate programs through the lens of justice, focusing on their effectiveness in achieving equitable outcomes for all segments of society. While many nations, including Indonesia, have committed to achieving "net-zero" carbon emissions by mid-century, there is a growing concern that these policies may disproportionately benefit affluent urban populations and multinational corporations, while neglecting marginalized communities. This study analyzes the socio-economic and geographic disparities that shape the implementation and impact of climate policies, such as carbon pricing, renewable energy incentives, and environmental regulations. Specifically, it assesses how these programs affect lower-income, rural, and indigenous populations, who are often the least responsible for environmental degradation yet bear the brunt of its consequences. The paper argues that without addressing these disparities, climate programs risk reinforcing existing inequalities rather than mitigating them. By applying principles of climate justice, the paper proposes that net-zero goals must be accompanied by targeted interventions that ensure vulnerable groups are not excluded from the benefits of climate action and that they receive necessary support to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change. This research contributes to the international discourse on climate justice by offering a critique of the current trajectory of government climate strategies. It advocates for a more inclusive, rights-based approach to climate policy, urging governments to integrate equity into their climate goals. By focusing on both global and local perspectives, this paper emphasizes the need for policies that balance environmental sustainability with social justice, promoting a more inclusive and equitable transition to a sustainable future.]]>
<![CDATA[Green Narratives, Grey Realities: Case Study of Greenwashing in Renewable Energy Projects ]]>
<![CDATA[Jakkapong Araya]]>;
<![CDATA[Sulaiman Rasyid]]>
<![CDATA[ Indonesian Climate Justice Review Vol. 1 No. 2 (2024): April, 2024 ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[COLLEGIUM JUSTICIA INDONESIA ]]>
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DOI: 10.65815/d19vez71
<![CDATA[This paper explores the phenomenon of greenwashing in the context of renewable energy projects in Indonesia, examining the disparity between the country's ambitious environmental goals and the realities of their implementation. As Indonesia commits to transitioning toward a greener economy, the promotion of renewable energy projects has been positioned as a key strategy for reducing carbon emissions. However, this study reveals a troubling trend where certain projects, despite their "green" claims, fail to meet genuine environmental standards, instead serving as vehicles for corporate interests and governmental image-building. By investigating several case studies, this paper highlights instances where renewable energy projects are marketed as environmentally sustainable, yet are, in practice, limited in their impact on reducing environmental harm or improving social welfare. The research critically analyzes how the Indonesian government, alongside private sector actors, has fallen short in ensuring the transparency, accountability, and efficacy of its renewable energy policies. Issues such as inadequate environmental impact assessments, lack of community consultation, and regulatory loopholes are explored, revealing how they contribute to the perpetuation of greenwashing. This paper contributes to the global debate on environmental governance by demonstrating how the rhetoric of sustainability can sometimes mask harmful practices. It calls for stricter regulatory frameworks, more transparent monitoring mechanisms, and a commitment to genuine, community-centered environmental solutions. Through its analysis, the paper advocates for a reevaluation of how renewable energy projects are conceptualized and implemented, urging policymakers to move beyond superficial commitments to ensure real environmental and social benefits.]]>
<![CDATA[Climate-Just Cities: Urbanization and the Right to a Healthy Environment in Indonesia ]]>
<![CDATA[Andry Wikra Wardhana Mamonto]]>;
<![CDATA[Ahmad Firdaus]]>;
<![CDATA[Muhammad Iqbal Baiquni]]>;
<![CDATA[Septhian Eka Adiyatma]]>;
<![CDATA[Gabrielle Joan Morales]]>
<![CDATA[ Indonesian Climate Justice Review Vol. 1 No. 2 (2024): April, 2024 ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[COLLEGIUM JUSTICIA INDONESIA ]]>
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DOI: 10.65815/vedq5481
<![CDATA[This paper examines the intersection of urbanization, environmental rights, and climate justice in Indonesia, focusing on the growing challenges cities face in balancing development with environmental sustainability. As urbanization accelerates across Indonesia, cities like Jakarta and Surabaya grapple with rising pollution, inadequate waste management, and the growing vulnerability to climate change. These urban issues disproportionately affect marginalized communities, raising concerns over the right to a healthy environment, particularly for low-income and indigenous populations. Through a critical analysis of Indonesia's legal framework and policies, this study investigates the extent to which the right to a healthy environment is protected in urban settings. The paper explores how national and local governments are addressing (or failing to address) the environmental impacts of urbanization, as well as how existing legal mechanisms could be reformed to ensure equitable, climate-just outcomes for all urban residents. It highlights the role of environmental laws, land-use regulations, and climate adaptation strategies in shaping sustainable urban futures. This research contributes to the broader discourse on climate justice by underscoring the legal dimensions of environmental rights in rapidly urbanizing nations. It calls for a more inclusive, justice-centered approach to urban planning and climate policy in Indonesia, advocating for stronger legal protections for vulnerable populations. By drawing attention to the complex relationship between urbanization and environmental degradation, the paper proposes actionable recommendations for integrating climate justice principles into Indonesia’s urban legal and policy frameworks, contributing to international debates on equitable urban sustainability.]]>
