IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PARIS AGREEMENT IN HANDLING CLIMATE CHANGE DUE TO FOREST
FIRES IN INDONESIA 2015-2019
Kinanthi Ahimsaning
Gandhi1, Roberto Octavianus Cornelis Seba2,Suryo Sakti Hadiwijoyo3
Universitas Kristen Satya
Wacana Salatiga
372019024@student.uksw.edu1, robert.seba@uksw.edu2,
suryo.hadiwijoyo@uksw.edu3
|
Keywords |
Abstract |
|
Paris
Agreement, Indonesian Government, Forest Fires, Commitment, Contribution. |
Forest fires in Indonesia have become an annual
recurring event, considering that Indonesia is a member of the Paris
Agreement and ratified the agreement. Thus, Indonesia must be able to commit
to the contents of the contract. This research uses a qualitative
method and will then be analyzed using the concepts that have been selected.
The author uses secondary data with search techniques
and data collection through written sources. It is understood that the Government has
successfully developed various plans to reduce forest fires by the Paris
Agreement commitments. However, there is hesitation in developing effective
climate action, and shortcomings emerge, thus reinforcing that the lack of
seriousness of this effort can affect Indonesia's Contribution to global
efforts. The
Government needs to be more serious in carrying out the commitments that have
been made in a structured manner and hopes that it can resolve this case as
well and as wisely as possible. |
Corresponding Author: Kinanthi Ahimsaning Gandhi
E-mail: 372019024@student.uksw.edu
INTRODUCTION
The increasing age of the earth means the quality of natural
resources is decreasing. The forest fires in Indonesia, of course, affect the
quality of life of humans, whose lives still depend on existing natural
resources. As much as 50 percent of human life depends on the natural resources
the earth provides. The planet needs approximately 1.5 years to produce and replenish
depleted resources, while human activities from natural resources will, of
course, always increase day by day. In this way, nature will increasingly come
under pressure, the consequences of which will be on human life
Forests
spread throughout the world, of course, have a role in reducing 25 percent of
carbon dioxide emissions; tropical rainforests are one of the forests that have
quite an important function in protecting and cooling the earth's temperature
In Article 46 of Law Number 41 of 1999, concerning forestry, it is
stated that the implementation of forest protection and nature conservation has
the aim of protecting forests, forest areas, and their environment so that the
protection function, conservation function, and production function are
achieved optimally and sustainably
The slow pace of real action from developed and developing
countries in reducing greenhouse emissions has increased temperatures on Earth
earth. In 2015, temperatures reached a global record with an average
temperature increase of 0.85 degrees Celsius
Indonesia is one of the parties signing and ratifying the Paris Agreement in national law
through Law Number 16 of 2016
Three previous studies were used as comparisons in writing this
research. First, Ni Putu Rai Yuliartini and Davira Syifa Rifdah Suwatno have
investigated the Paris Agreement in research entitled "Implementation of
Ratification of the Paris Agreement Treaty as a Form of Indonesia's Commitment
in Efforts to Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change" (Putu et al.,
2022). The similarity with this research lies in the main focus on the ratified
Paris Agreement. However, differences include the emphasis on increasing more
effective and efficient bilateral and multilateral cooperation to better
implement climate change mitigation and adaptation actions in previous
research.
Second, as a basis for
previous research, it also refers to research conducted by Devi Pratiwi titled
"Responsibility of States for the Consequences of Forest Fires on Other
Countries According to International Law.
Third, research conducted
by Dina Manurung entitled "International Legal Regulations regarding
Responsibility for Cross-Border Air Pollution (Case Study: Smoke Haze from
Forest Fires in Riau Province and its Impact on Malaysia and Singapore)"
Fourth, in the research
conducted by Adinda Noura Ayuningsih and her colleagues entitled
"Ratification of the Paris Agreement and the Implementation of Indonesia's
National Determined Contribution (NDC)," the
Meanwhile, this research
focuses on the role of the Government in handling forest fire cases in
Indonesia by implementing the Paris
Agreement. This research was conducted because forest fires and the
ratification of the Paris Agreement were
the basis of the problem in this research. Forest fires in Indonesia always
occur every year, and this research will focus on the Government's role in
handling this case using the Paris
Agreement, which the Indonesian Government has ratified. The results of this
research will provide a clear picture of the Government's role in handling
forest fire cases in implementing the
Paris Agreement and whether progress is being made or not.
RESEARCH METHODS
This study uses a
qualitative method. As a method in research, qualitative methods can facilitate
attitudes, behavior, and experiences. Qualitative methods are very relevant
because they can explore the phenomenon of forest fires and smoke pollution in
Indonesia to produce new knowledge about these experiences. When using
qualitative methods, data can be collected through observation, visual
analysis, library research, and interviews (individual or group). In collecting
and analyzing the data, this research uses library research techniques, where books,
journals, and relevant and credible sources are used to analyze cases and
answer the research questions. To do this, this research examines the
literature mentioned above. Then, it connects it with the role of the
Indonesian Government in implementing the Paris Agreement, especially in the
context of forest fires. Identifying research and knowledge gaps on a
particular topic can be done using literature review techniques. It also aims
to engage in theory development in research.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Dynamics of Forest Fire Cases in Indonesia
In recent years, deforestation, forest degradation, and climate
change caused by forest fires have become environmental problems of concern to
many parties. This is projected to continue to be a subject of discussion
because the problem is complex. According to data from the Ministry of
Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia (KLHK RI), forest and
land fires in Indonesia have reached 5,600,534.19 ha from 2015 to 2019 (Figure 1). The
last fire area was 2,611,411.44 ha in 2015, 438,363.19 ha in 2016, and
165,483.92 ha in 2017. After this downward trend, an increase occurred again in
2018, covering an area of 529,266.64 ha, and in 2019, covering an area of
1,649,258.00 ha
Figure 1. Area of Forest Fires in
Indonesia 2015-2019
Source: KLHK, 2019.
Compared to previous years,
the increase in fire activity, especially in Kalimantan, exceeds the average
from 2003 to 2018, indicating more severe conditions. Additionally, data from
the CAMS Global Fire Assimilation System shows that air quality in areas
affected as badly as the 2015 forest fires has declined. From August 1 to
September 18, 2019, CO2 emissions equivalent to about 360 megatons are
estimated to have occurred, almost the same as the 2015 mega-fire. However,
this is slightly lower than the 2015 mega fire
This phenomenon places
Indonesia as the fifth largest contributor to CO2 emissions after Russia
The Role of the Indonesian Government in Fulfilling the 2015
Paris Agreement in the Context of Forest Fires
Paris
Agreement is a joint commitment to hold the rate of
increase in global average temperature below two ℃ above the
temperature in the pre-industrialization period, and efforts are made to limit
the temperature increase to 1.5 ℃ above the temperature in
the pre-industrialization period.
From this agreement, a
commitment was born in the form of Nationally
Determined Contribution (NDC), an important tool used by the Government
to carry out communication on an international scale to overcome climate change
in the country independently
In the course of
implementing the NDC document, it turns out that Indonesia has not succeeded in
dealing with climate change independently in Indonesia, giving rise to various
kinds of criticism, namely the process of updating the NDC, which is less inclusive, and the substance of
the NDC update which does not
contain increased ambitions for reducing emissions. The Government insists it
has conducted public consultations with organizations and civil society.
However, these consultations are limited both in terms of the number of
organizations and civil society involved and the number of consultations held.
The Government also needs to release the draft updated NDC in the final version
to get input from the public
According to Indonesia's
NDC records, changes in land use and forest and land fires contribute around
63% to total emissions, with an additional 19% coming from oil fuel activities.
Indonesia's NDC document also highlights that the LUCF (Land et al.) sector,
including peatland fires, is the largest source of emissions, contributing
47.8% of total emissions, followed by the energy sector with 34.9%. Therefore,
through the NDC document, the Indonesian Government set an ambitious goal to reduce
emissions from land use change and forest and peatland fires by 91%
Given the enormous
challenges faced in reducing projected emissions in this sector by 91%, it is
clear that a comprehensive plan needs to be developed, rigorously implemented,
monitored, and ultimately revised. The plan is being developed
The Indonesian Government
has established various law enforcement agencies in the forestry sector to
support this goal. One of the important initiatives at the Ministry of
Environment and Forestry (KLHK) is the establishment of the Directorate General
of Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement. This directorate is responsible
for formulating and implementing policies designed to reduce damage and threats
to forests, as well as violations of environmental and forestry laws. This
directorate also combines field personnel, including forestry police and civil
servant investigators, in law enforcement efforts. The last one is a civil
servant with the authority to investigate a criminal case
The Indonesian Government
has also attempted to develop a national REDD+ framework since the formation of
the Indonesian Forest Climate Alliance, namely the Indonesian Forestry
Certification Cooperation (IFCA) in 2007, which supported preparations before
hosting COP 13 Bali in 2007. In May 2010, the Indonesian and Norwegian
Governments signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) under which Norway would provide up
to US$1 billion to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from
deforestation, forest degradation, and peatland conversion. Following the LOI,
in May 2011, the Indonesian Government announced a two-year moratorium on the
allocation of new logging concessions in areas where production forests do not
yet have permits through Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 10 of 2011
concerning delays in granting new licenses and improving governance of primary
natural forests and peatlands. This instruction has been extended three times
with the latest Presidential Instruction No. 6 of 2017.
The
Letter of Intent agreed upon by Indonesia and Norway aims to
improve forests and land through a moratorium policy and peatland restoration.
The moratorium policy delays the issuance of new permits in primary natural
forests and peatlands. Extending the moratorium period reduces deforestation.
On the other hand, this has given rise to complaints from industrial plantation
companies because they have to follow land exchange policies, which are
considered economically detrimental. Rural communities have a culture of
burning land to prepare agricultural land. Therefore, it is also difficult for
the community to implement to prevent land clearing through burning. However,
after several years of the moratorium,
Although the targets have
been adjusted, Yuyun Indradi, forest campaigner from Greenpeace Southeast Asia,
expressed doubts about Indonesia's commitment to developing an effective
climate action plan and highlighted shortcomings in the Government's actions
against forest fire perpetrators, most of whom are corporations, as revealed by
Efforts
to Reduce Forest Fires Based on the
Paris Agreement on Human
Security
The concept of human
security answers the weaknesses of realism because it can be used to explain
forest fires and smoke pollution in Indonesia and can analyze threats to
humans, while realism focuses only on threats to the state researchers. In the
research, several indications regarding forest fires and air pollution threaten
human survival. According to
researchers, the state-centered approach is challenged by human security because the main
reference object for security is humans. Forest fires and smoke pollution do
not threaten the country directly, but they do risk human lives. Forest fires
and smoke pollution cause casualties (injuries and deaths) and ignore
traditional assumptions in security, which believe that security only concerns
the state.
According to Global
Environmental Change and Human Security (GECHS): “ Human security is achieved when and where individuals and
communities have the choices necessary to end, mitigate, or adapt to threats to
their human, environmental, and social rights; have the capacity and freedom to
exercise these choices; and actively participate in achieving these choices”
(Brauch, ed., 2009). Based on the GECHS definition, society can achieve human security if they have the
choice to escape from threats that arise in their lives. In the case of
Indonesia, individuals and communities have no choice but to escape the danger
of forest fires and smoke pollution because they cannot stop disasters that
always affect the lives of people living in Indonesia in terms of environment,
health, education, and economy. And other threats. One proof of this is their
inability to protect infant deaths in Pekanbaru. It was recorded that in 2015
when there was a haze in the city of Pekanbaru, infant mortality cases reached
87.6%, and these cases decreased by 50.16%. This case shows that individuals
and communities have no choice but to protect themselves from the threat of
forest fires and smoke pollution.
Indonesia's forest fires
and smoke pollution affect people's ability to carry out economic activities
during the outbreak. The World Bank states that many low-income families have
the potential to become poor families because of their inability to run a
business and study at school
Besides the economic
aspect,
Apart from that, there is
also political security if smoke pollution occurs in Indonesia. In 2019, the
National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Indonesia (KOMNAS et al.)
categorized smoke pollution as a violation of human rights because everyone has
the right to a clean and healthy living environment as regulated in the 1945
Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. Based on the political security
aspect, protecting human rights and freedoms is important. This means there is
vulnerability and threat to humans due to smoke pollution.
Finally, the environment is
also an aspect of human security that
can be used to explain the impact of forest fires and smoke pollution on people
living in Indonesia
Smoke pollution can also be
understood in the personal aspect of human
security. Haze pollution affects personal safety when individuals are
threatened. Threats to the economy, food, health, and the environment create
threatening conditions in personal life because they become obstacles to
achieving a better life. This aspect is a logical consequence of other aspects
of human security. From a
cultural security aspect, smoke pollution also causes society to lose artistic
integrity. Several articles argue that customary law is an important tool to
protect forests from forest fires. In South Sumatra, the Indonesian Government
has issued a Ministerial Decree recognizing forest management by the Basemah
tribe using customary law. One of the tribe's representatives stated that this
customary law can protect their forests
In contrast, the Dayak
Tribe in Kotabaru uses the Bera System as their customary law to protect
forests by imposing fines
Considering the various
threats posed by forest fires and smoke pollution in Indonesia, especially in human security aspects such as
health, economy, culture, and the environment, the Paris Agreement offers a comprehensive framework to overcome
these challenges. This global agreement, dedicated to mitigating climate change
and supporting sustainable development, provides a strategic approach to
managing the complex factors contributing to forest fires, thereby ensuring the
protection and well-being of individuals and communities.
First, the Paris Agreement's commitment to limit
global warming plays an important role in addressing the root causes of forest
fires. The agreement's emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions is
consistent with efforts to mitigate climate change, which exacerbates the
conditions that cause forest fires. By adhering to these commitments, Indonesia
can implement strategies that reduce the incidence and severity of these
natural disasters. This aligns with the broader concept of human security, which emphasizes individual
protection from environmental threats.
In addition, this agreement
also encourages sustainable land use and forest management practices.
Sustainable development, as promoted in the
Paris Agreement, is essential in managing forest ecosystems and reducing
the area's vulnerability to fire. Implementing controlled burning,
reforestation, and sustainable agriculture can maintain ecological balance and
prevent the spread of large-scale fires. This approach not only preserves the
environment but also guarantees the protection of the economic and cultural
livelihoods of communities that depend on forest resources, thereby covering
various aspects of human security.
Financial support and
technology transfer mechanisms in the
Paris Agreement also play an important role in increasing Indonesia's
capacity to manage forest fires. Based on the agreement, developed countries
are obliged to support developing countries in climate change mitigation and
adaptation efforts. This provision can help Indonesia obtain advanced
technology and infrastructure for effective forest management, fire risk
monitoring, and emergency response. Improving these capabilities directly
contributes to maintaining human health, ensuring economic stability, and
protecting environmental integrity.
Building adaptation and resilience, a core
component of the Paris Agreement,
is critical in preparing Indonesia to deal effectively with the impacts of
climate change. Developing strong adaptation strategies, such as early warning
systems, public health initiatives, and economic diversification plans, can
significantly increase community resilience, especially in fire-prone areas.
This proactive approach aligns with the human
security framework by minimizing individual vulnerability to
environmental hazards and their negative impacts.
Additionally, the collaborative ethos
fostered by the Paris Agreement is
essential for shared learning and cooperative action. Indonesia can benefit
from the experiences and practices of other countries in dealing with forest
fires. This collaborative approach encourages the exchange of knowledge and best
practices in forest management, fire prevention, and emergency response,
resulting in more effective and efficient policymaking and governance.
The Paris
Agreement also
recognizes the importance of human rights and environmental protection. By
emphasizing respect for human rights, including the right to health and the
rights of indigenous peoples, the agreement strengthens policies that protect
the cultural and social integrity of communities affected by forest fires. This
aspect is very important to ensure that environmental policies do not ignore
human security's social and cultural aspects.
Finally, monitoring and reporting
requirements mandated by the Paris
Agreement increase transparency and accountability. Routine assessment
and communication regarding forest fire management efforts can produce more
informed and effective governance, benefiting human security in Indonesia.
CONCLUSION
From the results of
research with the data obtained, it can be concluded that the Government's role
in handling forest fire cases is the implementation of the Paris Agreement. It cannot be said to be successful because
the data presented shows that Indonesia already has various kinds of quite
structured commitments, but from these multiple kinds of commitments, there is
still doubt in developing plans that have been prepared in a structured manner.
On the other hand, the Government still shows shortcomings, such as the lack of
action against the perpetrators of forest burning. Looking at the results
described, the Indonesian Government appears to be less serious. It seriously
influences the commitments made by the Government and the commitments resulting
from the Paris Agreement. This incident, Indonesia is on the verge
of danger, with a climate crisis that will threaten and, of course, all laws
and clearing parties irresponsibly continue to burn forests without looking at
the impact that will occur in the future on Indonesia and the earth we live on.
We hope that the Indonesian Government will resolve this problem as soon as
possible and immediately implement the commitment that the Government has made
to reduce cases of forest fires so that the Paris Agreement commitments can run smoothly.
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