From the Forestry Law to Forest Fires: Evaluating Indonesia’s 2014 Forestry Law in Protecting Climate Vulnerable Communities

Abstract

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of Indonesia’s 2014 Forestry Law (UU No. 41/1999) in protecting climate-vulnerable communities, with a particular focus on the links between forest management, land use policies, and climate change adaptation. Indonesia's forests are among the most biodiverse in the world, but are also critically threatened by illegal logging, land conversion, and destructive practices such as slash-and-burn, which contribute significantly to carbon emissions and exacerbate climate impacts. The 2014 revision of the Forestry Law aims to provide a regulatory framework for sustainable forest management, yet its ability to protect vulnerable communities, especially those dependent on forest resources for their livelihoods, remains contested. This study critically analyzes how the law addresses both environmental protection and the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities who face increased exposure to climate hazards, such as forest fires and flooding, due to deforestation and poor land-use practices. By examining the law’s implementation, the role of local governments, and the experiences of affected communities, this research assesses whether the law has succeeded in promoting sustainable forest management while ensuring that the most vulnerable populations are not further marginalized. Findings suggest that despite progress in forest governance, the law’s implementation often neglects community participation and fails to curb land use practices that contribute to climate vulnerability. The paper argues for an integrated approach that combines legal reforms with community-based initiatives to ensure that both forests and climate-vulnerable communities are better protected in Indonesia’s climate policy framework.