Discourse of Environmental Justice: Indigenous Movements and Palm Oil Expansion in Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines the discourse of environmental justice in Indonesia by analyzing indigenous movements’ responses to palm oil expansion and its socio-environmental impacts. Palm oil development has become a major driver of economic growth in Indonesia, yet it has also led to land dispossession, ecological degradation, and social conflicts, particularly affecting indigenous communities whose livelihoods and cultural identities are closely tied to land and forests. This research explores how indigenous movements articulate environmental justice claims, mobilize collective action, and contest state and corporate narratives surrounding palm oil production. Using qualitative discourse analysis, the study analyzes indigenous activism materials, protest speeches, community statements, social media campaigns, and media coverage to identify dominant frames and rhetorical strategies. The findings reveal that indigenous movements frame palm oil expansion as a violation of rights, sovereignty, and environmental sustainability, emphasizing concepts of customary land rights, ecological stewardship, and intergenerational justice. They employ narratives that connect local struggles to broader global justice discourses, challenging corporate legitimacy and state development paradigms. However, the study also identifies obstacles such as limited access to legal resources, asymmetric power relations, and co-optation of indigenous voices in state-led sustainability initiatives. The novelty of this research lies in its focus on environmental justice discourse as a central mechanism of indigenous resistance in the palm oil context, highlighting the intersection of identity, land rights, and ecological politics in Indonesia. The contribution of the study is to enrich understanding of how discourse shapes environmental governance and social movements, providing empirical insights for policymakers and activists seeking equitable and sustainable development. The study concludes that achieving environmental justice requires strengthening indigenous land rights, inclusive policymaking, and accountability mechanisms for palm oil companies, as well as supporting indigenous-led communication and advocacy strategies.