Society, Environment and Culture
Unravel the intricate threads of justice, societal transformation, and cultural narratives shaping Indonesian society.
Environmental group warns new mining regulation could worsen Indonesia’s ecology
The Indonesia Climate Justice Literacy (ICJL) has voiced strong opposition to Government Regulation (PP) No. 39/2025 on the Implementation of Mineral and Coal Mining Business Activities, warning that it could accelerate environmental degradation and deepen Indonesia’s ecological crisis.
Indonesia finds Caesium-137 contamination in 22 factories after US shrimp alert
Indonesia’s special task force on radioactive contamination has detected traces of Caesium-137 at 22 production facilities in an industrial zone near Jakarta, officials said on Wednesday, October 8, 2025..
Sangihe Island in peril, mining threatens small island’s ecosystem
The Save Sangihe Island Coalition rallied in front of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Monday, October 8, 2025, demanding for a complete halt to mining activities on North Sulawesi's Sangihe Island in North Sulawesi due to critical ecological risks.
Massive land clearing in S. Papua raises environmental, indigenous rights concerns: Environmentalists
The government’s ambitious Food and Energy Estate project in Southern Papua is facing mounting criticism for its potential environmental damage and adverse impact on indigenous communities.
Rights Commission urges MK to reassess strategic projects over human rights concerns
The Constitutional Court (MK) on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 held a follow-up hearing for a judicial review challenging articles related to National Strategic Projects (PSN) in the Omnibus Job Creation Law, inviting the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) and the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) to provide their opinions.
Indonesia's climate action inconsistency raises credibility concerns
Indonesia is facing growing scrutiny over its climate action, as the country falls behind in its mitigation strategies despite a decade passing since the Paris Agreement and that it has yet to demonstrate consistent progress in reducing emissions, raising concerns about its credibility as a climate-conscious nation.
Energy trilemma: Extractive projects, funding and social-environmental impacts
A new report by Recourse and Trend Asia has uncovered the energy trilemma in extractive energy projects in contrast to their funding practices and impacts to the community and the environment.
Indonesia finds no abnormal radiation at clove exporter amid Cesium-137 probe
Indonesia’s Environment Minister and Head of the Cesium-137 Task Force, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, reported initial findings showing no abnormal radiation levels at the clove-exporting company suspected of contamination.
Strengthened due diligence in steel industry supply chains sought after Cesium-137 contamination case
Environment and energy watchdog, the Ecological Action and People's Emancipation (AEER), has called for a stronger commitment to regulatory due diligence, better waste management oversight, and improvements in the steel sector following a significant incident of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination at PT Peter Metal Technology (PMT) in Cikande, Banten.
Indonesia pushes for UN recognition of peatland carbon credits
Minister of Environment, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, has asked companies to support efforts to gain international recognition for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction certificates from peatland restoration under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Fossil fuel dependency increases public health risks, costs in Indonesia
Indonesia must urgently accelerate its energy transition, as reliance on fossil fuels poses significantly greater public health risks and costs than previously anticipated, a recent report from the Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA) has concluded.
Foreign ministry monitors Indonesians on Global Sumud Flotilla voyage
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to monitor and maintain communication with Indonesian citizens participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla voyage.