Key Activities with ARUKI (2024 – Early 2025)

1. Coordination Meeting for the People's Consultation Roadshow on the Climate Justice Bill

On April 26, 2024, ARUKI held a coordination meeting via Zoom from 14:00 to 17:00 WIB to discuss the progress of the Climate Justice Bill advocacy, refine the consultation content, and plan strategic actions. The meeting was attended by various civil society organizations, including Yayasan PIKUL, Kemitraan, Madani Berkelanjutan, WALHI, Perhimpunan Jiwa Sehat (PJS), ICEL, Development Dialogue Asia, Climate Ranger Jakarta, HWDI, AMAN, Trend Asia, YLBHI, KIARA, and many others.

Key discussions included:

●      Updates on the Climate Justice Bill advocacy presented by representatives from Yayasan PIKUL, ICEL, WALHI, and YLBHI.

●      Strategic planning for nationwide public consultations to ensure diverse community participation.

●      Allocation of responsibilities among civil society groups to organize the consultation roadshow.

●      Agreement to continue coordination and execute planned advocacy actions.

2. Advocacy for an Equitable Second NDC

On April 19 and May 3, 2024, PJS participated in a series of limited discussions on advocating for equity in the Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), initiated by Madani Berkelanjutan and Yayasan PIKUL. These discussions aimed to gather civil society input on adaptation strategies in the Enhanced NDC and to outline intervention frameworks for the Second NDC.

Key outcomes included:

●      Identification of priority issues for adaptation strategies in the Second NDC.

●      Recognition of the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities in climate adaptation policies.

●      Agreement on developing an Equitable Adaptation Index to assess adaptation efforts.

3. Focused Discussion on the ASEAN Declaration on Environmental Rights

On November 4, 2024, PJS took part in a focused discussion at ARTOTEL Gelora Senayan, Jakarta, led by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the ASEAN Environmental Rights Working Group (AER WG). The event aimed to strengthen environmental rights protection in ASEAN and integrate disability-inclusive policies.

Key takeaways:

●      PJS emphasized the importance of disability-inclusive climate policies in regional discussions.

●      The discussion contributed to the drafting of "The People’s Declaration on Environmental Rights", advocating for stronger procedural rights, environmental defenders’ protection, and disability rights inclusion.

4. Indonesian CSO Debriefing on COP 29

On December 12, 2024, ICEL organized a debriefing session for Indonesian CSOs to reflect on the outcomes of COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Highlights included:

●      Concerns over global climate finance commitments, as the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) still lacks equity and accountability mechanisms.

●      Limited progress in Indonesia’s climate commitments, with challenges in carbon market transparency and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP).

●      Gender and disability inclusion in climate policies remain inadequate, necessitating stronger advocacy.

●      PJS stressed the need for a more inclusive COP 30 strategy, focusing on the rights of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

5. Strengthening the Climate Justice Bill Working Group (POKJA RUU Keadilan Iklim)

IMHA is now officially part of the Climate Justice Bill Working Group (POKJA RUU Keadilan Iklim), which is responsible for:

●      Finalizing the Academic Paper and compiling the List of Issues (DIM) for the bill.

●      Conducting consultations and discussions with ARUKI members and the public.

●      Ensuring the bill’s integration into the National Legislation Program (Prolegnas).

The working group is led by ICEL, with a strong focus on climate justice for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities.

6. Roadmap for ARUKI’s 2025 Climate Justice Advocacy

On January 23, 2025, ARUKI organized a Climate Justice Summit at The Akmani Hotel, Jakarta, to set its advocacy priorities for the year. Key outcomes:

●      Strengthening grassroots mobilization and public engagement for the Climate Justice Bill.

●      Expanding consultations across 13 provinces to ensure broader community representation.

●      Ensuring accessibility in legislative processes by providing easy-to-read texts, offline files, and disability accommodations.

●      Forming an Accelerator Team (Tim Akselerator) to expedite the drafting process.

With COP 30 approaching, ARUKI aims to build a stronger counter-narrative against greenwashing policies and push for Indonesia’s climate justice agenda on the global stage.

Conclusion

PJS remains committed to ensuring that climate justice policies in Indonesia are inclusive and accessible to all, particularly for persons with disabilities. By engaging in national and international climate forums, advocating for stronger disability representation, and collaborating with civil society coalitions, PJS aims to secure equitable and sustainable climate policies that protect the most vulnerable communities.

Policy Brief: Ensuring the Protection and Fulfillment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Climate Justice Policies and Actions

Climate change has exacerbated the global crisis, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities. As an archipelagic nation, Indonesia is highly susceptible to climate change impacts, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather, and natural disasters. Persons with disabilities, who already face social and economic challenges, are even more vulnerable to these environmental threats. However, Indonesia’s climate policies and actions have yet to fully address their needs and vulnerabilities.

This policy brief is based on insights gathered from persons with disabilities across Indonesia through a series of discussions, media reports, and a desk review of existing policies, programs, and climate actions in the country. It aims to highlight the impact of the climate crisis on persons with disabilities, provide inclusive policy recommendations, and offer input for the proposed Climate Justice Bill. The policy brief is currently under review by a team of disability representatives from western, central, and eastern Indonesia.

Key Challenges Identified

Discussions revealed several barriers that persons with disabilities face due to the climate crisis, including limited access to food and water, increase mobility restriction, difficulties in securing employment, rising cost of living, health complications, limited access to medication barriers in disaster response, including access to early warning information, evacuation processes, and post-disaster relocation.

Gaps in Indonesia’s Climate Policies

Indonesia has ratified the Paris Agreement and established various climate policies, such as the National Action Plan for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction (RAN-GRK) and the Presidential Regulation on Carbon Economic Value. However, these policies primarily focus on mitigation and lack strong adaptation strategies, particularly for vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities.

Moreover, persons with disabilities have been largely excluded from the policy-making and climate action planning processes, resulting in policies that fail to accommodate their specific needs.

Proposed Policy Recommendations including

1. Develop Inclusive Climate Policies – Ensure that climate policies integrate disability perspectives at all levels of governance.
2. Implement Climate Adaptation Programs for Persons with Disabilities – Strengthen disaster resilience strategies to protect persons with disabilities from climate-related risks.
3. Ensure Accessible Climate Information and Services – Provide early warning systems and climate-related information in accessible formats.
4. Guarantee the Availability of Healthcare and Medications During Disasters – Establish inclusive emergency response mechanisms that prioritize medical and disability-specific needs.
5. Raise Public and Government Awareness – Increase understanding among government officials, policymakers, and the public about the disproportionate impact of climate change on persons with disabilities.
6. Enhance Coordination Among Stakeholders – Strengthen collaboration between the national and local governments, disability organizations, and civil society to ensure disability-inclusive climate action.

This policy brief serves as a call to action for policymakers, climate actors, and disability advocates to ensure that climate justice policies in Indonesia are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities.

DISSEMINATION

Dissemination will not take place in 2024 due to the presidential and legislative elections, which will result in a new political leadership, cabinet composition, and legislative members. Therefore, the dissemination process is scheduled for 2025, ensuring the involvement of the newly formed government cabinet and members of the House of Representatives (DPR).

 

 

 

 

On August 21, 2024, Indonesian Mental Health Association (IMHA) organized a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) titled "Promoting Disability-Responsive Climate Policies and Actions" to gather input from disability organizations on the draft Policy Brief on the Impact of Climate Change on Persons with Disabilities. The discussion aimed to ensure disability rights are integrated into national climate policies and to strengthen advocacy efforts for climate justice.

 

The session, held online via Zoom, brought together 35 representatives from various disability organizations across Indonesia, as well as experts, civil society representatives, and international organizations, including the Disability Rights Fund (DRF). Participants discussed the disproportionate impact of climate change on persons with disabilities and provided recommendations to enhance policy inclusivity and responsiveness.

 

In the opening remarks, Dwi Ariani (DRF) emphasized that climate change is a global issue, and persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable to its effects. She stressed that their voices must be included in climate policies, and that environmental justice movements must recognize that persons with disabilities are not only affected by climate change but can also contribute to solutions.

 

Yeni Rosa Damayanti (Chairperson of IMHA) highlighted that this policy brief would serve as a critical advocacy tool to influence policymakers, ensuring that disability inclusion becomes a mandatory consideration in climate action. She noted that previous capacity-building initiatives, including training and convenings, had helped strengthen participants’ understanding of climate issues and policy development.

 

Key Discussion Points

Discussion on the Policy Brief:

The policy brief draft will be structured into four main sections:

 

a.     Climate Change and Disability Challenges

This section outlines the causes and consequences of climate change, including global temperature rise, greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing climate disasters. It also highlights how ableism prevents climate policies from addressing the unique challenges persons with disabilities face.

 

b.     The Disproportionate Impact of the Climate Crisis on Persons with Disabilities in Indonesia

Divided into five disability groups (Deaf, Blind, Physical, Psychosocial, and Multiple Disabilities), this section identifies specific vulnerabilities including:

●      Limited Access to Food and Water – Food and water distribution centres are often inaccessible, making it difficult for persons with disabilities to obtain basic necessities. Flooding and environmental degradation further limit access to clean water.

●      Restricted Mobility – Climate change-induced disasters pose heightened risks for persons with mobility impairments, with inaccessible evacuation routes and infrastructure increasing injury and mortality risks.

●      Employment Barriers – Discriminatory hiring practices already limit job opportunities for persons with disabilities. Climate change exacerbates economic instability, pushing many into precarious informal employment.

●      Rising Cost of Living – Climate change drives higher costs for basic needs, including medications, which often lack government subsidies, further straining persons with disabilities financially.

●      Limited Access to Healthcare – Many disability-related medical needs are not prioritized in emergency response plans. During evacuations, critical medications and specialized medical support are often unavailable.

●      Worsening Health Conditions – Climate stressors increase health risks, potentially worsening existing disabilities or causing additional impairments.

●      Inaccessible Evacuation and Shelters – Disaster response infrastructure often lacks accommodations for persons with disabilities, including inaccessible toilets, inadequate transport, and a lack of disability assistants.

 

Additionally, six systemic barriers compound the effects of climate change on persons with disabilities:

1)         Lack of access to climate information and decision-making processes.

2)         Limited inclusion in climate programs and policy discussions.

3)         Absence of disability-specific disaster response assistance.

4)         Inadequate data collection on persons with disabilities.

5)         Lack of disability-inclusive infrastructure and public facilities.

6)         Weak coordination between government agencies and disability organizations.

 

c.     Gaps in Climate Policies and Government Response

●      Current climate policies focus heavily on mitigation and technology but lack a disability-inclusive approach.

●      Disability-related policies fail to integrate climate resilience strategies, focusing on general accessibility instead of specific environmental risks.

●      Government perspectives remain exclusionary, with no formal recognition of disability-related climate vulnerabilities.

 

d.     Recommendations and Future Input

Participants collaborated on recommendations to strengthen the policy brief, ensuring it effectively addresses the intersection of climate justice and disability rights.

 

Outcomes & Next Steps

1. Refined Policy Brief

o   The discussion generated critical input to improve the draft policy brief, making it more inclusive and aligned with the realities faced by persons with disabilities.

1. Increased Awareness and Ownership

o   The FGD reinforced the importance of shared ownership of the policy brief, empowering participants to advocate for disability-inclusive climate policies.

1. Strategic Advocacy Planning

o   Participants agreed on a coordinated advocacy strategy to push for national-level policy changes and ensure meaningful disability inclusion in climate governance.

 

Conclusion

This FGD was a pivotal step in finalizing the Policy Brief on Climate Change and Persons with Disabilities. The insights gathered will strengthen advocacy efforts with policymakers and stakeholders, ensuring that Indonesia’s climate policies become more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities.

 

Link to the FGD results document:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QzgC1IreIW0qvSZgLMURZBSELKpamFnm/view?usp=sharing