Ecological Justice or Environmental Exclusion? The Impact of Renewable Energy Development on Indigenous Rights in Sulawesi

Abstract

This research critically examines the tension between ecological justice and environmental exclusion in the context of renewable energy development in Sulawesi, Indonesia. As the global push for clean energy intensifies, indigenous communities in Sulawesi have increasingly found their ancestral lands repurposed for renewable energy projects, such as hydroelectric dams, wind farms, and geothermal plants. This study explores the implications of these developments on indigenous land rights, environmental justice, and socio-economic equity. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines legal analysis, interviews with indigenous leaders, and field observations to assess the broader impacts of renewable energy policies on local communities. The findings reveal a significant gap between the state’s green energy agenda and the protection of indigenous rights, with many projects advancing without meaningful consultation or compensation. While renewable energy offers ecological benefits, its development has led to the displacement of indigenous peoples, loss of traditional livelihoods, and the erosion of cultural heritage. The study argues that without integrating indigenous rights into the renewable energy framework, these projects risk perpetuating environmental exclusion rather than promoting ecological justice. This research contributes to the growing discourse on the intersections of energy policy, indigenous rights, and environmental justice, offering policy recommendations for more inclusive and just approaches to renewable energy development.