JUSTICE FOR CLIMATE: FIGHTING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE IN A

CAPITALIST WORLD, STUDY CASE IN INDONESIA

UNDERGRADUATE THESIS

KHANSA GHAISANI SADJIDAH

11201607006

Submitted to fulfil the requirement

of the undergraduate degree program

Department Of International Relations

Faculty of Business and Social Science

BSD City, Serpong, Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia

March 2020

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 ABSTRACT

Capitalism has turned into a dangerous scope in Economic world. It’s a progress within the
growing on human capabilities and succeed in rising a basic standard for a more developed
country, leaving the developing and underdeveloped countries aside. As globalization keeps
rising to another level, demand over consumption level also rise to a point there is a
competition between parties. As the world is moving towards a more sustainable future
following the United Nations SDGs, they have to keep up achieving those goals in the long
run for it to finally have somewhat a sustainable life.
Keywords: Capitalism, Climate Change, Sustainability

ABSTRAK
Kapitalisme telah berubah menjadi ruang lingkup berbahaya di dunia ekonomi. Kemajuan
yang pesat dalam pertumbuhan kemampuan manusia dan berhasil meningkatkan standar
dasar untuk negara yang lebih maju, meninggalkan negara-negara berkembang dan
terbelakang. Ketika globalisasi terus meningkat ke tingkat lain, permintaan atas tingkat
konsumsi juga meingkat ke titik di mana ada persaingan antar pihak. Karena dunia sedang
bergerak menuju masa depan yang lebih berkelanjutan setelah tujuan SDG dari PBB.
Karena itu mereka harus terus mencapai tujuan-tujuan tersebut dalam jangka panjang untuk
akhirnya memiliki kehidupan agak berkelanjutan.

Chapter 1 : Introduction
1.1 Background
The rise of industrialization in 19th century is what caused the greenhouse gases to
rise. The revolution of industry has brought prosperity in the economic sides, but the
downside of the industrial growth is the affect they had towards environment [ CITATION
Pat17 \l 1033 ]. It affects enormously to the natural system; water, air, bio-diversity, and also
soil, so it has been an ongoing debate for the world because the UN has settled for
Sustainable Development Goals with 193 countries on board. The UN SDGs stand by
promoting better life in many aspects from poverty to inequalities. In this case, UN SDGs
also focused on climate action, clean energy, and sustainable cities/communities [ CITATION
Uni15 \l 1033 ]. Their visions towards sustainable is set to be in 2030 with ending on-going
poverty we have to go hand-in-hand with an economic growth plan and addressing social
needs while tackling climate change.
A wide range of human activities from burning fossil fuels, industrial activities, and
cutting down forest for agricultural purposes or urbanization development are substantially
increasing the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, thereby upsetting the
atmosphere balance[ CITATION Aiz09 \l 1033 ]. Results from the activities such as – desert

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violation, deforestation, extreme weather changes, and many more – are being witnessed
across the globe. Although the UN SDGs is the one mentioned above, another agreement
promoting climate change is also by the UNFCC; Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement
central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping the
earth temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius, to pursue the limit of the temperature
increase even further to 1.5-degree Celsius.
Even with the greatest political will, climate change is, inevitable because the
magnitude of the emissions reduction required to halt global warming completely. It would
be expected that sustainability should be a major concern on any social formation or
socioeconomic system. Thus, any society should take care of its environment to ensure the
conditions for its reproduction and viability for the future. Without the raw materials there
will be no more resources for development like how the system wishes in nowadays.
However, several societies have historically for a long time and with damaging effects,
ignored these ecological preconditions of social reproduction.
In the history of capitalist culture, the environment has mostly been ignored and
downplayed, since then it has worsened the environment which leads to crisis. This has
forced many economists, policy makers and the public to pay more attention to natural limits
and the conditions of our sustainability [CITATION Lio10 \t \l 1033 ]. All these should apply
to all countries; developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries. This does not mean
that each goal must be “a stretch goal for each country,” different countries have different
abilities in approaching these goals. Rich countries or developed countries for instance are
most likely to have met most goals in their economic aspect, but may have slack in other
aspect such as social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and governance.
The awareness this crisis has, have accelerated environmental movements and led to
an extensive literature concerning both theoretical analysis and therefore the implementation
of certain policies to establish sustainable future. Sustainable development for the future is
and will be a huge challenge for the whole world, governments are working towards their
country’s economy [ CITATION Hor19 \l 1033 ]. The shift towards the idea of sustainable
future is adequately expressed in the SDGs, which have been agreed with 193 countries on
board. Though the world is going for a more green and sustainable future, countries also
contrive to balance and/or maintain the economic growth. Economic growth is a function of
two factors; growth of jobs and the productivity of employment, not all countries have the
abilities to implement environmental friendly and it will cost them more money in the long

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run which can be conflicting because at the same time the plan is to eradicate poverty
[ CITATION Uni15 \l 1033 ].
Combating poverty in one country is already difficult, so it does need a long time to
combat poverty all over the world. Inequality and social exclusion within countries are
extending to beyond border, not only between the developed countries and underdeveloped
countries but developing countries can also be seen as underdeveloped countries. According
to UNICEF, many labor markets has never been in many changes before due to large part by
the globalization and technology change over the years. Many people were left unemployed
because of their lack of marketable skills. Nowadays people are looking more towards
working in a technology-based company, because the technology world keeps increasing and
the poor or underdeveloped countries tend to depend their economic through natural
resources for their livelihoods.
The SDGs embrace to eradicate poverty where they are the most vulnerable to
environmental change, which is why extreme poverty can be demolished if environmental
degradation is stopped and reversed. A lot of land was destroyed for another construction;
rainforests destroyed for road construction, oil extraction, mining, logging, etc. The ever
growing human along with the high consumption caused breakage to earth, five years into
UN SDGs and the achievements have been uneven. In many parts of the world there has been
multiple conflicts, increasing poverty, and climate change have thwarted the progress in
promoting sustainable future. Even at today’s many key ecosystems are being threatened, this
is far away from the goals that is settled to be in 2030. A good governance is required in all
sectors of society; from governments, businesses, and civil organization.

1.2 Climate Issue in Indonesia and how Capitalism Plays a Role

According to [ CITATION Jak18 \l 1033 ] Jakarta have been into one of the biggest
megacities in the world with a such rapid economic growth, 26% from 2013 to 2017.
Although the economic growth brings good to the country’s economic development aspects,
but not to social gap, inequalities between the rich and poor, and definitely environmental
problems. These have been an ongoing issue since the climate issue started to rise in the early
19th century. In 1970s, Indonesia’s main development policies is focusing towards economic
growth and development, but in the 1980s it was when the policies shifted to environmental
issue [ CITATION Dre19 \l 1033 ]. Indonesia is one of the countries who ratified the UN SDGs
in 2015, with that Indonesia plans towards sustainable future and development is by setting

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spatial plan analysis guidelines based on the 3 pillars of sustainability; economy,
environment, and society.
Implanting such policies to public meant nothing if we do not educate the public first,
we have to make sure that the people understand what the country is working towards to.
Raising awareness towards Indonesia’s environmental problem is needed as it there are many
and terrible; from scattered rubbish in the streets and river, poor quality in the main city.
Wright and Waddell (2017) reported that Indonesia is the top 3 greenhouse gas emitter and
the world’s second largest contributor to marine plastic pollution after China. Karhutla a
forest fire happened in January 1, 2019 around Riau, Kalimantan, and Sumatera until
September 2019 has burnt 328,724 hectares of land. As climate keeps getting endangered it
affect seasons all around the world, Indonesia only have 2 seasons; dry and wet. So when it is
dry season, the temperature is very high, this is where the farmers usually take an advantage
to clear the vegetation for palm oil, pulp, and paper plantations but the method they are using
is slash-and-burn method [ CITATION BBC19 \l 1033 ].
The palm oil trade going on in Indonesia has accelerate the dryness because many
lands were cleared to plant the palm oil. The burnt method made it worse as it will most
likely to catch fire next time. Citizens was worried sick about the condition there as there are
so many horrible news about what is happening in Riau. Not only is the haze dangerous for
Indonesian but it also affects the country around us. The haze is so heavy that the city turned
dark and at some point, turned red, in the morning where the sun shines through, the people
had to turn on the light and close the door to block the haze because the haze is dangerous.
The haze can also cause a long-term health problem, not only human that is affected by this
fire but also the nature. Indonesian forests fire over the years have been destroying the natural
habitat; endangered Orangutan. This issue is associated with the research as there were 10
corporations suspected and about 100 individuals involved in the fire.
One of the many causes of forests fire in Indonesia started by big corporations who
wanted to plant palm oil. Indonesia is the biggest palm oil producer and each year the
demand keeps increasing and that means they need extra land for palm oil plantations in the
future. The greediness of people has shown how capitalism has taken its toll in this world,
over consumption and forced labor. One of the examples of heavy consumption due to
globalization/modernization is Bali. Bali is one of the cities got hit by capitalism, they
reached modernity and globalization through its tourism. It is no doubt that Indonesia have

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the most amazing landscape, beaches, and culture that attracts tourists, and in this case
tourism in one or other key that support Indonesian’s economy.
Tourism has helped the island’s economic prosperity because of the huge amount of
tourist flow every day of the year that have resulted a positive impact in their daily income
[ CITATION Pic16 \l 1033 ]. Every year there is a new development on hotels, restaurant,
beach clubs, and villas around Bali. Although it brings economic prosperities to the people,
but the changes because of it affect other aspect to the social and natural environment. Bali is
known for its beautiful irrigated rice but after countless of construction, around 10 square
kilometers have been lost each year. Balinese is undoubtedly having somewhat intense
relationship because of their holistic perception of the universe. There has been argument
whether the excessive tourist development needs to go on or have to stop to respect the
island’s capacity in the future.
Tourism in Bali has progressively brought the Western paradigm into their life.
Afterall working towards a sustainable future needs a lot of work than anyone could think of,
after all we are just a very small portion of the bigger problem; climate change. Climate have
been endangered for the last couple of years, the systems that are put in a place that make it
hard to live sustainably.

1.3 Research Question

1. Seeing from the angle of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). What is preventing
Indonesia from achieving the goal of sustainable climate?
2. What is the current government policies in promoting climate change?

Chapter 2 : Literature Review and Theoretical Framework

2.1 Literature Review

Capitalism is well defined by Karl Marx as an economic and political system in which a
country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the
state. The widespread and growth of capitalism has developed into a global structure that is
now accepted worldwide. This structure emerges and created relations between countries,
thus it evolved into dependency between states. With capitalist relations where the
bourgeoisie have power over the proletarians and developed countries have more power over
the developing and underdeveloped countries, both have similar characteristic.

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 For the individuals who grew up amid the Cold War, capitalism implied opportunity from
the Soviet Union and other authoritarian routines. For the individuals who grew up more as of
late, capitalism has implied in a financial crisis from which the worldwide economy still
hasn’t totally recovered. Leodakis (2010) wrote in his article that ecological conditions of
social reproduction have been largely ignored and downplayed in the history of capitalist
societies. The concept of sustainability in the capitalist world has raised an extensive and
heated debate concerning the policies aiming at the implementation of such a sustainable
development. Though it is very clear that the expropriation and privatization of common
property under contemporary capitalism has increased tensions in class, economic inequality,
and environmental degradation.
Sustainability resilience and durability are the property needed not only by the
ecosystem but also of the social system. In talking about sustainable climate not only it will
give a brighter future but also will give a safety environment for generations to live in. All
these should apply to all countries; developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries.
This does not mean that each goal must be “a stretch goal for each country,” different
countries have different abilities in approaching these goals. Rich countries or developed
countries for instance are most likely to have met most goals in their economic aspect, but
may have slack in other aspect such as social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and
governance.

2.2 Theoretical Framework

To breakdown the system on which our world now constantly revolves in, using the
capitalism theory and sustainable development to break through the discussion. Capitalism
can be understood by looking at how it is driven by a powerful motive that regulates supply
and demand. Karl Marx created the term as ‘capitalist,’ meant for the social class, but in the
late 19th century it became a critical term defining that era [ CITATION Pat171 \l 1033 ]. While
Sustainable Development refers to the principle of meeting human development while at the
same time maintaining the sustainability of natural systems and ecosystems in which the
human and economy depends on [ CITATION Men19 \l 1033 ].
Capitalism plays a role in distinguishing classes that sometimes-caused inequality.
Economy, energy system, and the environment have evolved on one another, passing
materials to the one who needed it and eventually absorbing one another’s wastes. The
environment connection with economy is seen through the process of transforming raw

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materials extracted from the environment, into energy flows from the earth system. “Marxism
is not just the theory of the proletarian resistance to capitalism and its struggle against
capitalism, it is also and above all, the theory of its victory,” [ CITATION Par98 \l 1033 ].
The SD deepens their relevance everyday as the population keeps increasing it depends
on the natural resources available for human needs. Sustainable development indicates the
effort of balancing the economic, environmental stability and social well-being. Although
there are many definitions abound, the explanation does touch on the importance of
intergenerational equity.
The overall goal of Sustainable Development itself is the long-term stability of the
economy and environment; only achievable through the integration acknowledgements of
economic, environmental, and social concerns throughout decision making process
[ CITATION Lio10 \l 1033 ]. Stoddart (2011) explains that most ecologists and
environmentalists are proponents of the strong sustainability definition. Strong sustainability,
on the other hand, recognize the unique features of natural resources that cannot be replaced
by manufactured capital.

Chapter 3 : Research Methodology

3.1 Secondary Data Analysis

In conducting this research, using secondary data is the first choice to develop an
understanding for this research; the secondary analysis data has become an increasingly
popular method of enhancing research efficiency [ CITATION Che14 \l 1033 ]. Secondary data
analysis is a method used to gather the information or re-analysing data on a specific topic,
using an old data but for a new research question. The most typical way to use secondary data
for research is beginning with its research question and seeks a data set that will allow
analysis for the question. After e are done with solving or answering the research question for
the research is what was done to the data after they were collected? We also need to find a
data that can be weighed with our current research, just simply to connect both of them so
that the data and the research does not clash with each other.
Secondary data can grasp an entire range of empirical structures; they can incorporate
data created through methodical surveys, through documentary analysis just as the outcomes
from vast scale datasets. Secondary data can be numeric or non- numeric. Non-numeric, or
subjective secondary data, can incorporate data recovered second hand from meetings,

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ethnographic records, archives, photos or discussions. To begin, secondary data analysis has a
very broad range of definitions, other definitions of secondary analysis have emphasized its
usefulness for exploring new research questions. The potential for the secondary investigation
of numeric data is gigantic. From a country's populace registration to depiction popular
sentiment surveys about the result of broadcast ability show rivalries.

3.2 Advantages of Secondary Data Analysis

While doing my research using the secondary data analysis method, it is very often to
stumble in new information gathered through the current resources. Its expands the research
in a sense it deepens the perspective of the researcher, consequently, during this research, the
research question of this paper also change from time to time, following the flow of the
research data gathered. The process is believed to be able to generate the utmost unbiased and
factual research. Finding resources can be tricky especially with secondary dataset, but the
result obtained would be much wider.
Hence with this short of information, you can catch intergenerational impacts, factors that
influence a long haul versatility or a long haul outcomes of specific occasions [ CITATION
Var11 \l 1033 ]. Also, secondary data analysis will in general be far less costly and set aside
far less time to organize in respect to primary data set. This method comes with a broad range
of advantages, enabling the researchers to get information on a scale that they couldn’t plan
to replicate first hand. It can empower data to be investigated and reproduced from alternate
points and view, so along this lines given chances to the findings of sudden relations which
are not considered in the beginning.

3.3 Disadvantages of Secondary Data Analysis

There are four primary disagreement to the utilization of using secondary data analysis
method in social research: claims that it is loaded with mistakes; that it can’t be utilized to
make helpful examinations; that auxiliary information; and lastly, not esteem unbiased but
rather are constrained by people with great influence: and that in light of the socially
construct nature of social data, the act of diminishing them to be a basic numeric shape can’t
completely embody their complexity [ CITATION Var11 \l 1033 ].

3.4 Limitation

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 Limitation matters, and occurrences that appears during the process of making this
research that is out of the researcher’s control. Every study no matter how well its constructed
and conducted will always has limitation, therefore this study is no difference. Throughout
the process of writing this paper, the researcher has stumbled upon several problem such as:
 Time constrain, there are a lot of other publications and discourses related to the
topic discussed in this research but because of time constrain, some of the
references are not covered.
 Hands on more applicable resources, since secondary data analysis method is used
to write this paper, there are some references that is unreachable due to the
situation and condition.

Chapter 4 : Results and Discussion

4.1 Chapter Overview

This chapter will focus on building the argument on the system of climate sustainability
development in Indonesia and also focuses on their economic development. Seeing how
Indonesia is implementing or building the system by tracing back to the United Nations
SDGs plan number 11 and 13 that address about sustainable community and climate action
with how it being performed nowadays. The current programs regarding climate action
within the nation like Climate Policy Initiative Indonesia (CPI), National-Action Plan for
Climate Change Adaptation (RAN-API), Indonesia Climate Change Sectoral Roadmap
(ICCSR), and Collaborative Australia-Indonesia Program on Sustainable Development and
Climate Change.
Seeing as Indonesia is a developing country with many opportunities for foreign investors
to invest their corporations to our country. Many viewed this issue differently with their own
perspectives so this chapter will include an argument between the believer and sceptics
towards the issue. Within this will also be followed by arguments on different opposite
perspectives, the arguments will go through the concept of climate sustainability that is being
proposed as the solution, compared to how capitalism is taking over. Then elaboration and
connects it to why climate change is still deeply rooted, by using the interdependence as the
defining factor to this condition.

4.2 Indonesia’s Background on Capitalism of Sustainability

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 The bridge connecting sustainability and capitalism has for a long time being discussed
by scholars and even by the civil society. Do we prioritize sustaining the economy or
sustaining the environment? Ecological economists and environmental sociologists have
argued that a weak sustainability position as issued above is completely insufficient for
addressing the ecological challenges in front of us. Because a sociological conception of
history, economic relations, and ecological provides a more systematic understanding of
these matters [ CITATION Lon16 \l 1033 ]. Since the 1970 many scholars have held both
national and international conferences or agreements discussing the relationship between
economic growth, natural limits and environmental sustainability. Yet, none of them have
made a significant improvement towards the specific issue and environmental problem have
magnified into another level.
United Nations and other global institutions helped construct what is actually the meaning
of sustainable development in major debates with discussion regarding economic
development. Global expansion of industrialization in the twentieth century was the era of
environmental problems gained their first social attention, and also the industrial capitalism.
Given the inner dynamics of the economy, profits must constantly increase, which are
reinvested to enlarge and intensify the scale of production. In contrasting manner, a capitalist
economy must grow in a healthy way because capitalism indeed relies on private sectors for
its investment funds [ CITATION Sch10 \l 1033 ].
A steady and healthy capitalism itself requires a steady expansion of consumption. Sales
must be kept up, which is why Indonesia is putting their economic stability first especially in
the moment like this pandemic where like all economies throughout the world, find itself in a
precarious position. With many source to its economic essential, Indonesia is roughly one of
the emerging market economies in the world and also the largest economy in the southeast
Asia [ CITATION Gui20 \l 1033 ]. Export is one of the main source of Indonesia economic
system. Economic system is indeed prioritize, especially when the rates of people living
below the poverty is considered high. Poverty remains an ingrained problem in Indonesia,
with rate stood at 9.66% of the total population around 25 million people living below the
poverty [ CITATION Jat19 \l 1033 ]. Sustainable development include both a better life in
economic and environmental aspect yet Indonesia seemed to be juggling with this aspect.
Under President Joko Widodo, Indonesia SOE or State Owned Enterprises strategy
(BUMN) is changed. He criticised that the new SOE should be more focus on long-term
economic goals rather than short-term goals, because the past strategy by Susilo Bambang

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Yudhoyono (SBY) used the SOE as providers fiscals resources [ CITATION Kyu19 \l 1033 ]. In
contrasting manner, satisfaction of the recipient of service is confused or mistaken in
evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery system. Because private
enterprises are usually able to deliver higher satisfaction to small number of recipients that
could be mistaken as efficiency and effectiveness, yet state owned delivery systems are
usually delivering services to large number of recipients where individual dissatisfaction may
not get addressed.
With Indonesia being a member of G20 which focuses on international trade, global
economic stability and sustainable growth, and promoting a financial regulations to prevent
future financial crisis [ CITATION G2017 \l 1033 ]. Regardless of this reality, the fact remains
that Indonesia is also a part of Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals. Indonesia needs to focus on their economic stability to achieve those
goals in 2030, yet the other agreement Indonesia are in is the United Nation Sustainable
Development Goals which goals to achieve a sustainable life for all in 2030.
With high rates of people living below poverty, Indonesia as a developing country on
implementing a sustainable life will be quite hard. It will be a challenge for the government
to slowly socialize and also implement a more environmental friendly lifestyle. The
indicators to an ecological sustainable community are clean air, clean water, and clean land.
In contrasting manner, the main concern in promoting a climate action is the opposite, with
the lack of green spaces areas, air, water, and land pollution in Indonesia [ CITATION Afi10 \l
1033 ].
However the reality remains that it is caused by a massive productivity from palm oil,
mines, and buildings. The attitude of local government itself supposed to be amended as they
give the license easily to the investors without properly assessing the impact to the
environment. In order to keep out the heatwaves, urban area should have at least a 20% of
green spaces or land. There are several news regarding Jakarta’s scorching heat in the last
couple of months. That brings hundreds of people to health centre daily with complaints from
respiratory infection (triggered by polluted air), dehydration, and can also affect the body
endurance [ CITATION The19 \l 1033 ].

4.3 Global Trend of Capitalism of Climate Sustainability

Our current socio-economic system is built upon the exploitation of both people and the
planet, causing inequality not only to humans but also the environmental devastation. Major

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climate movements done by activists such as Greta Thunberg, who is considered to be the
youngest activists in climate change issue and the top-down approaches Green New Deal
who address climate change and economic inequality have recognised such issue [ CITATION
Zei19 \l 1033 ]. Although the ones who is responsible towards this issue is more addressed to
the developed country, yet many communities in Asia are also extremely impacted by the
climate crisis.
In contrasting manner, data released by Global Footprint Network on Earth Overshoot
Day, Indonesia as one of the developing countries have the last impact on resources, but on
the ability to recover Indonesia still needs a major restoration unlike the United Arab
Emirates and Canada who have the ability to recover their natural resource consumed
[ CITATION Sch19 \l 1033 ]. The meaning of Earth Overshoot Day itself is about the day
mankind overshoots the earth’s ability to recover from what sources humankind has consume
within years – regrow trees that was cut, absorb carbon dioxide we emitted, etc.
The issue with capitalism stands upon historically-inherited inequality on class, ethnicity,
and gender. It also tends to provoke inequality when underprivileged groups are denied to
access the economic opportunities afforded by capitalism itself. People from underdeveloped
and even developing countries are the ones who faced this inequality very often because of
the exploitation until this day for the comfort and wealth of rich nations or developed
countries, as we can see by our heavy reliance on modern technology and the reluctance of
developed countries itself to be held accountable for their carbon footprint, not demanding
the developing countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
A massive investment has been put in effort towards 2030, thus far, looking at the
existing political establishment looks more and more impediment to change the current
situation. The consequences of global warming have moved from the merely theoretical and
predicted too observable reality over the past few years, yet this has not been matched by an
uptick in urgency [ CITATION McD19 \l 1033 ]. There have a been a few discussion to keep a
healthy capitalism forward to support the sustainable future, yet each capitalism takes
precedence even against a backdrop of fires, floods, and hurricanes.
Regardless of this reality, the fact remains that climate change is the result of our own
current economic and industrial system. In which there are still so many people rely on to
support their daily life, because if you want to change the whole system of a country
economy or industrial system for example, the impact of it will be very dramatical to the
point it will affect the country’s welfare state [ CITATION McD19 \l 1033 ]. Increasing the

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opportunity to economic stability, yet it turns into exploitation to both human and the
environment. our system should reformed with a more humane view of unemployment,
poverty, and inequality.
But yet again, many decisions to be made today will have a long-term consequences and
are sensitive to climate conditions – water, energy, agriculture, fisheries, and forests. There
are times when there have been a crisis or disaster there would be profits gained by the elites
[ CITATION Kle17 \l 1033 ]. Klein also stated that the “idea of capitalism can save the world
from the crisis it created,” is no longer an abstract theory people can wander but one that is
being actively pursued and supported. To affirm with the suggested precondition, as
globalization arise throughout the year and so many opportunities comes around, that’s when
capitalism takes its place to be driven by economy and to compete with other groups, nation,
country in order to keep up the economic stability but to avoid being sucked up with
capitalism, you have to move along with capitalism itself.
In other words, environmental and social movements word wide have been co-opted and
commodified to feed a development-driven economy. inevitably, people are being wobbled
around into buying green or an eco-friendly things to live a sustainable live, yet not everyone
is able to live those lifestyle because of the lack of their economy. it is known that things that
are good to environment is considered to be expensive, not everyone is able to pay or spend
money on that, and in this way capitalism yet again plays its role for us wanting to be more
eco-friendly or eco-conscious.
Demands emphasized towards the policymakers, business and technocrats to be more
aware of difference between producing and consuming differently and producing and
consuming less. One of the core practices of capitalism that puts it on a collision course with
environmental sustainability is the transformation of everything in the natural world,
including sometimes people, into commodities for sale of the market [ CITATION Sin10 \l
1033 ]. Those who believes in climate change have tried to find alternatives lifestyle to not
try leave a carbon footprint, in which stands for a total emission of greenhouse gas caused by
individual, events, organizations, or products which are calculated to be equivalent to carbon
monoxide.

4.4Indonesia Today
Now let us go back to Indonesia. Indonesia stand in the fourth most populous country
after China, India, and the United States. Indonesia’s current population as of 2020 stand on

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the number 273 million people and projected to pass 300 million by 2030 [ CITATION Wij17 \l
1033 ]. Within the future goals, Indonesia is challenged to meet the increasing demand for
energy, food security, and basic livelihoods. At the same time Indonesia also needs to achieve
a long-term, low carbon energy development and climate change resilience.
Indonesia now needs to devise a clear road map of mitigation plans for the future with
implementation schedules to ensure emissions reductions can meet the target dates in 2030.
The current agreement between Indonesia towards climate change action are in the Paris
Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals in which both of them targeted in
2030. In the Paris Agreement, the ultimate goal is set to be capping global warming rise this
century to 1.5oC, thus, a small difference between 1.5 and 2 degrees could have a dramatic
impact towards lowland countries and dying coral reefs [ CITATION Den18 \l 1033 ].
In the UN Sustainable Development Goals there are 2 points related to this research, point
11; Sustainable Cities and Communities, point 13; Climate Action. Sustainable cities and
communities means that the goals is to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe,
resilient, and sustainable. Climate action stands for taking urgent action to combat climate
change and its impacts (strengthen resilience, awareness, and mitigation) [CITATION
Placeholder1 \t \l 1033 ].
Because Indonesia is one of the fast growing developing country, some domestic and
even international stakeholders questioned whether it can accomplish the overall goals while
Indonesia is also focusing on their economic stability. The government’s plan this year is to
double the palm oil production, meaning that it could clash with the national climate action
targets cause it requires a natural forest clearing, which increases carbon dioxide CO 2
emissions [ CITATION Wij17 \l 1033 ]. Although palm oil is one of the source of boosting
Indonesia’s economic system, we do not want to repeat the last year mistake when a massive
fire hit Riau that was caused by forest clearing to plant Palm trees. Yet, the effect of it not
only damage the environment but it also threatened the citizens health.
Planting palm trees could conflict with its agreement in decreasing the greenhouse gas
emissions within the Paris Agreement. There are many opportunities to achieve both
development and climate objectives should be more explored throughout developing
planning. For example, Indonesia could intensify the productivity of its already established
agricultural land. Going back to the second research question, What are the current
government policies in promoting change for climate change?

15
 There have been a couple policies and action towards climate change in Indonesia even
from the past presidency era. Back in 2011, Indonesia adopted a presidential regulations
(PERPRES) No. 61 on its National Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
(Rencana Aksi Nasional Penurunan Gas Rumah Kaca; RAN-GRK) fully committing it to
achieve its mitigation goals [CITATION Ind11 \l 1033 ]. This national policies provide a base
of implementation of various mitigation actions in various sectors such as forestry,
agriculture, energy, transport, industry, and waste sectors.
National Medium-Term Development (Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Menengah
Nasional; RPJMN) plan for 2015-2019 established as the GHG emissions reductions for 5
priority sectors in Indonesia, forestry, and peat lands, agriculture, energy and transportation,
industry, and waste. This plans sets two targets for the forestry sector from land and forest
restoration. Areas that have been demolished due to developments. In late 2014, MoEF
(Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) was established by merging the
former Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Forestry into a single authority [ CITATION
Wij17 \l 1033 ]. Presidential Decree No. 16 2015 on Ministry of Environment and Forestry,
the National Council of Climate Change and the Indonesia REDD+ (Reducing Emissions
from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) were merged under the Directorate General of
Climate Change.
Back in 2017, Presidential Instruction No. 6 regarding Forest Moratorium or a regulation
that prohibits clearing primary forests or peatlands inside forest estates or land-use areas. If
this regulation is implemented correctly and effectively, it has a huge potential to
significantly reduce deforestation in Indonesia, totalled for almost over 6 million hectares
from 2000 to 2012. Indonesia have lost 0.84 million hectares of forests in 2012 alone, even
higher than Brazil’s reported loss of that year [ CITATION Mar14 \l 1033 ].
Not only there are regulations towards forestation but there are also regulations towards
energy policy in the Government Regulation No. 79 2014 for the development and
transformation of Indonesia’s energy sector to meet with the increasing demand from
economic and population growth. In assessing the mitigation process from the selected
policies, we assumed that all policies are fully implemented during times and valuation
challenges of the policy implementation.
The system have found its way towards a more sustainable future for climate change.
Although it is still a constant battle, we mankind can also contributes in combating climate
change. There have been arguments whether climate change is actually happening and it is

16
worse like that or it is just a an issue bought by climate alarmists. The clash between this
happens because the lack of awareness and knowledge on this issue not to well spread to all
parties [ CITATION Sin10 \l 1033 ]. The barriers stand in each person’s economy, not everyone
is lucky enough to get well informed on the issue itself.
Although this research talks about a good sustainable future for climate, this research also
looks from the scope of the openness on people towards this issue. Because it seems that only
some of the middle-upper socio economic groups and the youths generation who is more
aware towards this problems and wanted to be involved in saving the earth
Some people may think that you have to be fully eco-conscious or using all green
friendly things in order to participate in supporting sustainability for climate change. Yet
again, not everyone is accessible through that things because some green products can be
considered very expensive, and not everyone can buy that with their own current state of
economy [ CITATION Iva19 \l 1033 ].
One of the reasons why it is considered to be expensive because there is not so much
resource to make things to be eco-friendly, which is why some people charged it with a little
high price, for example organic food, the higher sticker price is reflective of the higher cost of
creating that type of food. “Eco-friendly” or “sustainable” things or brands are increasingly
used as a marketing strategy nowadays, because it is now becoming a trend to be eco-
friendlier but the strategy itself distinguish products as premium or elite, making them almost
to appeal to wealthier shoppers.
Bringing our own shopping bags, using our own water bottle, using our own lunch box to
buy a certain food, etc. You can join the movement gong to an eco-friendlier thing with what
you already have. Capitalism has yet played their role in making some of us think that we
need a certain thing for everything, when you can just what you have or maybe be more
creative while also being eco-conscious. Likewise, the post-2015 development goals must
also mobilize and apply to all segments of civil society and the private sector. As the
principal engine for economic growth and job creation, the latter will develop and deliver
many of the new technologies, organizational models, and management systems that are
needed for sustainable development.
Well-crafted post-2015 goals will guide public understanding of complex long-term
challenges, inspire public and private action, and promote accountability. Children will learn
the goals at school as a short-hand definition of sustainable development. The goals will also
promote integrated thinking and put to rest the futile debates that pit one dimension of

17
sustainable development against another. Other than being eco-conscious or using eco-
friendly things to join the movement, we can also implement the 3R: Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle.
3R can be implemented in many things; food or goods, and 3R principle seeks to provide the
natural resources for future generation by reducing the use of these natural resources and
reuse and recycle it as most as possible [ CITATION Sam13 \l 1033 ].

Chapter 5 : Conclusion and Recommendation

We should strive for convergence, and economic opportunity for all, not economic
opportunity at the expense of others as in our current system. Countries that cannot meet the
goals on their own should receive international support to do so. Good corporate governance
therefore calls for all companies, especially the major multinational companies, to adopt
transparent goals for sustainable development, and to hold themselves accountable for those
goals vis-à-vis their investors, customers, suppliers, and society at large. Environmental
problems gained more social attention in the latter part of the twentieth century, many of
which could be directly tied to the global expansion of industrial capitalism.
Although there are still many people who choose to not believe in the climate change
issue, the least we can do is to protect out mother earth as best as we can, we may think that
the outcome or the effect of climate change itself will not be as bad as it could be, we are just
a very small portion of the bigger problem which are the systems that are put in place that
make it hard to live sustainability. In the end, we don’t need a handful doing zero waste, eco-
conscious perfectly, but we need millions of people doing it imperfectly.

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