The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has highlighted climate justice as a crucial issue and a priority for discussion. Through its report, the IPCC recognizes the importance of scientific studies and local knowledge in understanding and evaluating climate adaptation processes to reduce the risks of climate change and achieve climate justice. Torry Kuswardono, Executive Director of the Indonesian Pikul Association, explained the importance of the IPCC report, addressing its impacts and adaptations in terms of climate justice, during the webinar "Calling for Environmental and Climate Justice in the G20" on August 26, 2022.
According to Torry Kuswardono, the 3,000-page report is particularly interesting in its focus on climate justice issues. The report is quite compelling, detailing how to effectively implement climate justice principles. "We see the principles of climate justice there. This report explains the principles of justice from the beginning. There are specific chapters on inequality, examples of injustice, and highlights the justice aspects that need to be addressed in discussions and debates around climate change," he explained.
So, for climate justice, adaptation strategies, and climate justice projects, many NGOs are working on solutions that address mitigation and adaptation as part of fundamental rights and climate justice. This is to engage everyone in the discussion about climate justice on the planet and make fundamental rights a key element in the report.
"Report 6 explains the inequality and recognition of different groups. This is what we need to acknowledge, empower, and support. For climate justice, there is an inequality of power between countries within countries," Torry continued.
In Indonesia, this injustice has been occurring for the past three years, with everyone talking about reducing democratic space. This report, however, recommends that public participation and recognition are crucial for resolving climate issues.
From a climate justice perspective, adaptation can be considered successful. Sixty percent of the report states that adaptation programs created by governments and international agencies should be considered with greater focus on vulnerable communities, indigenous peoples, and the environment. Meanwhile, in mitigation, injustices will outweigh adaptation.
Climate Injustice Affecting Indigenous and Local Communities
Ruth Spencer, a representative of the Small Island State of Antigua and Barbuda, stated that at the local level, there is an inequitable distribution of power and wealth in her country. Climate injustice stems from exclusion, as communities are left behind in climate policies. "It's crucial that local groups have a voice because in my country, when it comes to environmental decisions, there's no budget, no money, and no ecosystems to repair. Our protection from the increasing number of storms, cyclones, and natural disasters is crucial," she explained.
What's happening in his country is that many investors are coming to build hotels. Local communities are losing their protected areas. Since COVID-19, the government has rewritten regulations and allowed these areas to welcome investors, where we live, earn a living, fish, and so on. The government does this secretly. You know, after a decision is made, there's no communication, no discussion, and no access to important information. This is what's causing frustration and a lot of conflict. If there is consultation, it's only in urban areas, not with local communities.
We demand access to information, locations, and timeframes, so we can verify whether this is the case. The lack of communication and access to information, and the lack of investor rights in protected areas, creates numerous inequities and disparities.
Mardiana, a representative of Indigenous Peoples from Indonesia, shared local wisdom, knowledge, and customs related to protecting and utilizing natural resources and forests, as well as current environmental degradation. She also addressed various threats caused by forest destruction and land grabbing.
Before the oil palm plantations and coal mining, Mardiana and other indigenous peoples lived prosperously, even though they had no money. But after the oil palm plantations and coal mining, their lives felt squeezed and their freedom was no longer there. They were once again colonized by our own people. They lost their livelihoods, their economic resources, their rice barns, their health care resources, their forest pharmacies, their fruit, their clean water, and even their fish. There were no crocodiles.
"We breathe dust, bathe in waste. If this continues, there will be no health or prosperity for indigenous peoples. We fight to defend the environment and our rights; we constantly face law enforcement and the government. We are considered unsupportive of development. That's what's happening to us, the indigenous people of East Barito, Central Kalimantan," Mardiana continued.
Indigenous peoples respect forests, but it is the government, businesses, and licensing bodies that are destroying them and their environment. "We ask the Indonesian government to pass the Indigenous Peoples Bill and, at the G20, to re-evaluate palm oil plantation permits throughout Indonesia, especially in Central Kalimantan and East Barito Regency. We demand an evaluation of plantation and mining permits, the restoration of our right to life, the restoration of the damaged environment, and the replanting of deforested areas. We are ready to help," he stressed.
Val Munduruku, an Indigenous Peoples Activist from Brazil, also shared how communities in his country are resisting and fighting against the threat of illegal mining as a major issue. The situation has impacted communities around rivers (such as the Taparaja River) and other areas. The situation is critical.
"We are fighting to defend our territory because of the mining permits granted by the government. We are the ones affected, affecting our environment, our food sources, and our water sources. We are the ones who remain in these areas after they have taken our natural resources. In recent years, environmental damage and deforestation have occurred due to illegal mining," said Val Munduruku.
Meanwhile, Anggalia Putri, Sub-WG AFOLU and Rights (Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use and Rights), a sub-working group related to agriculture, forests, land use and land rights for climate change, explained about rights-based protection and restoration for natural ecosystems for climate justice. "I hope what the G20 working group and sub-working group are doing can resonate with you and your struggles. Why are we here? We are not only listening to the voices of governments. But also listening to the voices of civil society organizations and communities to promote social economic development, human rights and the principle of leaving no one behind as conveyed by Mr. Torry," explained Anggalia Putri.
The G20 has a commitment to AFOLU, a commitment to biodiversity and nature, encompassing the responsibility for conservation, protection, and sustainable use of natural resources. This also enhances their short- and long-term commitments related to land degradation and financing. They recognize the financing of nature-related projects and their aspects, and are accelerating mitigation efforts.
