After COP30, climate projects continue to threaten Indonesia’s Indigenous communities

January 26, 2026

Indigenous communities in Indonesia, numbering 50-70 million people across over 2,000 groups, are experiencing escalating threats to their ancestral lands despite global recognition of their environmental stewardship role. While the Indonesian government pledged at COP30 to recognize 1. 4 million hectares of customary forests by 2029, the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) reports that 2025 saw an alarming spike in land seizures affecting 3.

Who is affected

50 to 70 million Indigenous people in Indonesia across over 2,000 groups and 2,161 recognized communities
109 Indigenous communities who lost 3.8 million hectares of customary land
162 Indigenous communities experiencing criminalization and violence
Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN), representing Indigenous communities nationwide
Communities living near mega-development projects in Poco Leok (East Nusa Tenggara), Merauke (Papua), North Kalimantan, and Nagekeo

What action is being taken

AMAN is reporting and documenting cases of land seizures, criminalization, and violence against Indigenous communities
Security forces are being deployed to forest areas under Presidential Regulation on forest areas, leading to militarization of Indigenous lands
The Indonesian government is implementing policies related to forestry, mining, energy, plantations, infrastructure, and conservation areas that affect Indigenous territories

Why it matters

This situation represents a fundamental conflict between climate commitments and human rights, where government policies meant to address environmental concerns are actually dispossessing the very communities who serve as effective forest guardians and biodiversity protectors. The dramatic threefold increase in land seizures in 2025 demonstrates an acceleration of violence and discrimination against Indigenous peoples, undermining both their constitutional rights and Indonesia's international climate pledges. Without genuine Indigenous participation and legal recognition of their rights, Indonesia's environmental goals risk becoming empty political gestures while communities face escalating threats to their survival and way of life.

What's next

The government's target is to recognize 1.4 million hectares of customary forests by 2029
AMAN states this 1.4 million hectare target should be treated as flexible and expanded given the 33.6 million hectares of customary territories already mapped
The Indigenous Peoples Bill, stalled for over 10 years in parliament, awaits passage
No official progress has been made on recognizing customary forests following COP30 commitments

Read full article from source: Global Voices