Climate Disinformation in Indonesia: Priotising Development Over Indigenous Peoples’ Vulnerability

In Indonesia, climate disinformation is being used by state and corporate actors to justify the prioritisation of “national development” interests over Indigenous Peoples’ (IPs) vulnerabilities. This developmentalist approach relies on the deliberate undermining of Indigenous practices as “obsolete” in favour of state-led “modern” development narratives, in particular through National Strategic Projects. As a result, climate disinformation leads to IPs’ marginalisation from environmental decision-making, the undermining of their traditional knowledge systems, as well as forced displacements and criminalisation of IPs. Collectively, these factors endanger IPs’ rights, identities, livelihoods and resilience. This report advances key recommendations directed at government institutions, international bodies, civil society, media organisations and technology companies to address climate disinformation in Indonesia. Tackling climate disinformation is key to ensuring the vulnerabilities of Indigenous are not exploited instead they are included as partners for advancing informed and inclusive climate action in Indonesia