Climate Change Management Bill: Indonesia's New Legal Framework to Tackle the Climate Crisis

Climate Change Bill: Indonesia's New Path in Facing the Climate Crisis

Climate change is a major challenge we face together. We are already beginning to feel its impacts today, from extreme heat, unpredictable rain, flash floods, prolonged droughts, to disruptions in harvests and marine resources. All of these are strong signals that the Earth is in a state of emergency.
In the midst of this situation, Indonesia is taking a big step through the Draft Bill on Climate Change Management, which is now included in the 2025 Priority National Legislation Program (Prolegnas).

This bill comes with a major mission: to provide a solid, comprehensive, and just legal framework to tackle the climate crisis. It is not only about reducing emissions, but also about ensuring justice for the communities most affected.

Why Is This Bill Important?

There are three main reasons why Indonesia needs a special law on climate change:

1. A clear long-term plan.
   This law is expected to become Indonesia’s “roadmap” in dealing with climate change. Its content can serve as the legal basis for implementing the targets promised in the Paris Agreement, from emission reduction (mitigation) to adaptation. Thus, the government will have a consistent direction for the short, medium, and long term.
2. Uniting cross-sectoral policies.
   The climate crisis involves many actors: ministries, agencies, local governments, and civil society. So far, existing policies often work separately. With this law, cross-sectoral coordination can be stronger, ensuring that every step does not overlap.
3. Stronger law enforcement.
   This bill will include clear compliance mechanisms. For those who violate, such as exceeding emission limits, there will be measurable sanctions. This means that the rules are not only recommendations, but can truly be enforced.

What Are the Key Points of the Bill?

From various drafts and studies, the Draft Bill on Climate Change Management is designed with several key elements:

• Comprehensive regulation. Governing national climate policy and the institutions responsible.
• International compliance. Aligning Indonesia’s policies with the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Climate governance. Establishing strong institutional structures to ensure effective cross-sectoral coordination.
• Climate justice. Ensuring that the most vulnerable groups—fishermen, farmers, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities—are not left behind.
• Carbon budget. Setting national emission limits so that the net-zero emissions target can be achieved.
• Adaptation and mitigation. Not only reducing emissions, but also helping communities adapt to climate impacts that are already occurring.
• Public participation. Opening space for public involvement, from the planning to the implementation stage.
• Climate financing. Providing funding mechanisms for clean energy transition and sustainable development.

The Debate: Management or Climate Justice?

One of the hot discussions is about the name. Some parties argue that the term “Draft Bill on Climate Change Management” is too technical and tends to focus on adaptation. They push for the term “Climate Justice Bill,” to emphasize human rights and social justice aspects.

The People’s Alliance for Climate Justice (Aruki), for example, argues that the climate crisis cannot be seen merely as a natural disaster. It is the result of unjust economic and industrial structures. Therefore, regulations must dare to address root causes, such as halting deforestation, reducing extractive industries, and protecting community living spaces.

The Climate Justice Bill they propose also includes the right to sue for affected communities, social security for climate disaster victims, and legal sanctions for companies proven to damage the environment.

Addressing Transparency Challenges

Although already included in the 2025 Prolegnas, this bill is the subject of intense public debate, especially concerning transparency. The public considers the draft not yet open, and community participation still limited. Public involvement is important to ensure this regulation truly reflects the needs of the people.
So far, the Parliament and Regional Representative Council have held more than 40 discussions with various stakeholders. However, many parties demand that the outcomes of these discussions be more inclusive and accessible to the wider public.

Real Impacts on Vulnerable Groups

The climate crisis does not impact everyone equally. Persons with disabilities, fishermen, and farmers are the most vulnerable groups.

• Disabilities. During drought, access to water becomes much harder. Persons with disabilities often struggle to travel long distances to obtain it.
• Fishermen. Changes in marine ecosystems reduce fish catches. Unpredictable weather also endangers their safety.
• Farmers. Unpredictable rainfall causes crop failure. Extreme heat damages land productivity.

Aruki notes that in the past 10 years, there have been more than 28,000 climate-related disasters in Indonesia, affecting 38 million people. Economic losses are even estimated to have reached IDR 544 trillion in the 2020–2024 period alone. With such data, it is clear that a special law is urgently needed.

Towards a New Hope

The Draft Bill on Climate Change Management is not the end of the struggle, but the first step towards a more resilient Indonesia in facing the climate crisis. This regulation is expected to:

• Serve as the national compass in reducing emissions.
• Guarantee social justice, especially for the most affected groups.
• Promote a clean energy transition that is not only environmentally friendly, but also creates new jobs.
• Strengthen Indonesia’s position on the global stage as a country serious about fighting the climate crisis.

Of course, the road to passing this bill will not be easy. There will be long debates, conflicting interests, and technical challenges. However, the most important thing is to ensure that this law truly sides with the people, not just industry or short-term political interests.

For a Green Future of Indonesia

The climate crisis is real, but it is not the end of everything. With the right regulations, fair policies, and active public participation, Indonesia has a great chance to emerge as a strong, resilient, and just country in facing climate challenges.
The Draft Bill on Climate Change Management—or the Climate Justice Bill, whatever the name may be—marks an important milestone. It is not only about law, but also about hope, justice, and our shared future.