Climate Justice or Green Colonialism? The Role of the 2014 Plantation Law in Addressing Indigenous Land Rights and Environmental Exploitation

Abstract

This paper examines the implications of Indonesia’s 2014 Plantation Law (UU No. 39/2014) for climate justice, focusing on its effects on indigenous land rights and the broader issue of environmental exploitation. As Indonesia continues to be a major producer of palm oil and other plantation crops, the expansion of industrial agriculture has led to large-scale deforestation, land grabs, and the displacement of indigenous communities. The 2014 Plantation Law aims to regulate the plantation industry, but its potential to address the twin challenges of environmental degradation and the violation of indigenous land rights remains highly contested. This study analyzes the law’s provisions in relation to climate justice, particularly in terms of ensuring that the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities are upheld in the face of expanding industrial plantations. Through a combination of legal analysis, case studies, and interviews with indigenous leaders and environmental activists, the research explores how the law addresses (or fails to address) the environmental and social impacts of plantation-driven deforestation, land conflicts, and loss of biodiversity. Findings suggest that while the law includes provisions aimed at protecting the environment, it often prioritizes economic interests over the rights of vulnerable communities and the preservation of ecosystems. The paper argues that the 2014 Plantation Law risks perpetuating a form of "green colonialism," where climate and environmental concerns are used to justify land dispossession and exploitation, rather than addressing the root causes of environmental harm. The research calls for more inclusive, rights-based frameworks that balance economic development with the protection of indigenous territories and the environment, ensuring that true climate justice is achieved.