Climate Litigation In Indonesia

Third, the judges deciding these cases may know how severe or possibly negative the impacts of these cases are on the environment and climate as most of them relate to forestry and the environment. In the Indonesian judicial system, there are judges who are certified in environmental law.

Fourth, 72 cases were cases of forest fires or other forestry issues. This shows that forestry cases are closely linked to climate change issues and that there is scientific evidence linking the two. By linking forestry cases with scientific evidence of climate change, the likelihood of prosecution of such cases increases.

Lastly, these lawsuits also include human rights claims in addition to environmental issues. Several cases relating to forest fires and mining demonstrate violations of local communities' rights to clean air and water. In the case of Prosecutor v. Hairil, for example, the Pangkalan Bun District Court stated that environmental damage caused by violations of the law can have a negative impact on human welfare.

In conclusion, the growing number of climate change cases being decided in Indonesian courts shows how important the issue is. During the 2010-2020 research period, climate change issues were being contested in Indonesian courts. The study found that of the 112 "incidental" climate change-related litigation cases in Indonesia from 2010 to 2020, most led to favorable outcomes, rather than "core" climate change litigation cases, which can be easily overlooked.