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View all search resultsIndigenous groups sidelined in Indonesia’s climate efforts
The climate crisis puts harms on indigenous communities’ lives, livelihoods and tradition, but they are often sidelined in policies and any measures from the government to mitigate impacts from the crisis.
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People of the Gelar Alam indigenous community carry bundles of rice stalks on Oct. 5 in a procession during the Seren Taun harvest festival in Sukabumi, West Java. The annual ceremony expresses gratitude for the year's harvest and seeks blessings for harmony with nature and ancestors. (AFP/Aditya Aji)
I
ndigenous communities in Indonesia continue to bear heavy burdens from the climate crisis impact by losing their homes and livelihoods and face environmental disasters, while engaging in little to no meaningful participation in mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Indonesia is home to more than 2,000 indigenous groups, totaling between 40 to 70 million people who live across the archipelago, according to the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN).
Many of them live in remote and isolated regions, inhabiting coastline and forest areas whose land often holds no state recognition despite their roles of safeguarding biodiversity and the ecosystem. These areas, however, are more prone to the impacts of the climate crisis, such as rising sea levels and forest and peatland fires.
But indigenous peoples have been marginalized, according to anthropologist Imam Ardhianto from University of Indonesia, as they are sidelined in every measure to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of the crisis despite their situation being worsened as global heating persists.
These communities also have weak bargaining power in policy drafting, leading to several industrial and development projects done in their area without their consent.
“There have been conflicting regulations that sideline indigenous communities in public policy,” Imam said in a discussion hosted by the Society of Indonesian Science Journalists (SISJ) on Saturday.
“There is no commitment that allows these communities to withhold consent to any activities affecting their lands, although it is very critical to provide space for them to speak up for themselves.”
