Global warming and climate change have become a real threat to life on our earth. Increasing carbon emissions from various sources have encouraged efforts to reduce the adverse impacts of climate change. One way that is increasingly recognized as key to reducing carbon emissions is through the recognition of indigenous communities in environmental conservation efforts. Indigenous peoples, who often live in harmony with nature, have deep knowledge of sustainable management of natural resources.
Customary forests, which are managed and owned by local traditional communities, have an important role in maintaining biodiversity, storing carbon and maintaining ecosystem balance. However, this is often ignored and in fact more and more exploitation of customary forests occurs. In a panel discussion on the position of civil society on the issues of climate change, energy transition and carbon trading at the 2023 tenure conference, Uli Arta Siagian from Walhi Nasional said environmental destruction, including forests, was caused by differences in views between indigenous peoples and other groups in viewing forests.
For indigenous peoples, forests are seen as a complex relationship, one of which is the relationship between spirituality and social ecology. Where they still use the forest as an intermediary place to communicate with the creator. This view is not shared by other groups. "When people talk about the climate crisis, what they do is what if we trade the crisis, one of which is carbon trading. "Even though carbon trading is not the answer to the problem," explained Uli.
Eustobio Renggi, Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (AMAN) added that speaking about the issue of climate change and reducing carbon emissions, the main justification lies in recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples. According to him, indigenous peoples in Indonesia as well as throughout the world, have been proven for generations to have traditional knowledge in protecting forests, seas, coasts and other ecosystems. "Because if we want to talk about customary forests being the place for the greatest reduction in carbon emissions, this cannot be separated from the customary territories and communities themselves," he added.
Even though the government has issued regulations regarding handling carbon emissions, this does not include protecting the rights of indigenous peoples. In fact, this is the main problem in handling carbon emissions itself.
Arie Rompas from Greenpeace Indonesia said that currently Indonesian people are faced with false solutions offered by the government. Arie also quoted a statement from the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) who said that the era of global warming is over, and now humans are entering the era of global education.
Almost all of humanity on earth is experiencing the impact of global warming and the climate crisis. However, the government actually provides false solutions which do not answer the root of the problem, said Arie. This is evidenced by the increasing number of extractive industry activities in Indonesia that use emission-generating sources. "Not only that, national policies and international policies are deemed unable to stop the sources of emissions that cause global warming," said Arie.
The Big Lie of the Energy Transition
With various polemics regarding the causes of climate change and its handling in reducing carbon emissions, the energy transition narrative is also predicted to be the most solution in overcoming the problem itself. The use of fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum and natural gas, has become the main source of carbon emissions that contribute to global warming and its negative impact on the environment. The energy transition involves switching to clean and environmentally friendly energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro and nuclear energy. By doing this, you can undoubtedly reduce carbon emissions significantly and mitigate the effects of climate change itself.
However, Amalya Reza from Tren Asia invites civil society to re-establish the paradigm of why we must carry out an energy transition. "Because it seems that the Indonesian government is carrying out the energy transition just as an excuse and narrative so that the government can carry out other business variants," he stressed.
According to Amalya, the energy transition narrative emerged because of climate change itself. Meanwhile, climate change is caused by industrial activities that produce large emissions and take over carbon capture areas, one of which is customary forests. This causal chain needs to be underlined.
According to Amalya, customary forests have been proven to act as natural "carbon banks". Trees growing in indigenous forests absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass. By maintaining indigenous forests, the amount of carbon stored in plants and soil remains locked in and reduces the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. “Imagine if we make an energy transition, how many million tons of wood will we need to produce electricity? "Obviously this will further destroy our environmental ecosystem," explained Amalya.
Polemic on Traditional Forests and Recognition of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Despite the importance of customary forests in reducing carbon emissions, there are several threats that continue to confront their sustainability. One of them is the high demand for natural resources, such as wood, palm oil and mining, which threatens customary forests. Extraction of these natural resources can cause deforestation and damage biodiversity as well as cause significant carbon emissions.
The uncertainty of customary forest law also often becomes a polemic where legal demands arise regarding recognition and protection. This can trigger licensing conflicts between indigenous communities and other interested parties.
Not to mention customary forest management which also still faces several challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the conflict between indigenous communities and industrial companies who want to use the forest for their economic interests. This conflict often results in forest destruction and has an impact on reducing carbon emissions.
In fact, so far customary forest management has been based on the principles of local wisdom and traditional knowledge passed down from generation to generation. Indigenous communities who manage customary forests do not only focus on economic income from forest products, but also maintain the sustainability of forests and the environment.
From data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), now the number of customary forest areas in Indonesia has reached 244,195 hectares of the total forest area in Indonesia. Clearly this is decreasing year by year and is becoming increasingly concerning.
Policies that suit society's needs are also in the spotlight with climate change. Uli admitted that so far, the government has only carried out personal and investor interests for the benefit of a few people. Community involvement in decision making regarding their territory is often ignored. "So many policies seem to be imposing," he said. “For example, the Baduy community does not need electricity or an internet network. "They can live with existing natural conditions," added Uli.
Civil society from various elements must unite their strengths together to be able to counter the unequal narratives so far. Forums for recognizing indigenous communities and their potential in protecting the environment and ecosystem must continue to be voiced and involved continuously. This is the only concrete step for us to continue to maintain a just environment and deal with the climate crisis that is occurring. "If we continue to believe in entrusting this narrative to our seniors who sit in government institutions there, that will only prolong a big lie," concluded Arie in the discussion.