The People’s Alliance for Climate Justice (ARUKI) unveiled a 300-page academic paper for the Draft Law on Climate Justice on Thursday, August 28, 2025, calling on the House of Representatives (DPR) to include the paper in the 2026 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) and begin deliberations without delay.

Raynaldo G. Sembiring, Executive Director of the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL) and ARUKI representative, stressed that Indonesia lacks a dedicated law to address the climate crisis.

"What we have now are only regulations on carbon pricing and carbon trading. This initiative is called the Climate Justice Bill because the challenges faced by vulnerable groups go beyond environmental issues – theare issues of injustice," he said.

The House has so far proposed the title “Climate Change Management Bill,” which ARUKI views as overly technical and failing to highlight the social justice dimensions of the crisis. ARUKI’s version emphasizes distributive, procedural, corrective, gender, inclusive, and intergenerational justice as its core principles.

Policy gaps

The paper outlines weaknesses in current national policies, including fragmented approaches to achieving net-zero emissions, emission reduction targets compromised by economic interests, maladaptive mitigation projects, weak law enforcement, and limited public participation – particularly among vulnerable groups such as women, people with disabilities, laborers, the urban poor, fisherfolk, farmers, indigenous peoples, the elderly, and youth.

Grassroots voices featured in the draft call for recognition of urban villages, protection of coastal fishing areas, safeguards for farmers against land grabbing, explicit accommodation of women’s rights, inclusive data and adaptive social protection for people with disabilities, and worker protection during climate disasters and energy transitions.

Lawmakers’ support

Badikenita Sitepu, Chair of Committee II of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), said, “This bill must be prioritized for the 2026 Prolegnas and discussed without delay. It is essential to ensure effective adaptation and mitigation, with justice – including intergenerational justice – as its foundation.”

House Member Syarif Fasha added, “A good and healthy environment is a fundamental right for all. The Climate Justice Bill must be realized immediately.”

Rieke Diah Pitaloka, another House member, called for alignment between civil society and policymakers, citing the constitutional mandate to ensure social justice for all Indonesians.

“The state must be present to protect its people from the impacts of the climate crisis and fulfill its social justice mandate,” she said.

Maman Imanulhaq, Deputy Chair of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction, pledged to support the bill through Commission XII of the DPR. “This law is not only about justice for humans but also for nature, which has long been neglected,” he said.