Indonesia urged to strengthen climate protections for vulnerable communities over carbon market focus

Environmental groups in Indonesia are pushing the government to prioritize climate justice for vulnerable communities over carbon market investments. The call follows a nonbinding advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice that outlines state obligations to address the climate crisis and protect human rights. Activists argue Indonesia's current climate bill focuses too heavily on carbon trading and not enough on adaptation and protections for indigenous people, women, and other at-risk groups. The ICJ opinion, which Indonesia supported at the UN, sets 1.5 degrees Celsius as the primary temperature goal and emphasizes state responsibility. But groups like Walhi and ICEL say the government's draft climate law lacks strong adaptation measures and disaster preparedness. They want the ICJ framework embedded in national legislation to ensure vulnerable communities are not left bearing the costs of a crisis they contributed little to.