Forest fires and environmental governance in Indonesia

• Main Authors: Dewi, G. D. P., Sopaheluwakan, E. S.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution; Content analysis; Economic development; Forest & brush fires; Forest fires; Haze; International organizations; Outdoor air quality; Population growth; Qualitative analysis; Regulations; Smog
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0109997

Indonesia is one of the ten countries with the largest forest with the third largest tree species in the world. However, rapid population growth and economic development have put intense pressure on the environment. Every year, fires destroy Indonesia's forest areas. The spread of smog to the surrounding area prompted public facilities, schools, businesses, health, causing political tensions between the countries. Indonesia has been working to tackle the fire - the formulation of national regulations and regional cooperation, one of which is the ratification of ASEAN Transboundary Haze Pollution (ATHP) in 2014. Despite this, forest fires and large areas of land that impact cross-border pollution are still occurring in 2016-2021. With a qualitative approach, this study emphasizes qualitative descriptive methods with content analysis techniques approaches. This research framework departs from forest fires with the effects of spreading air pollution across borders and analyzing Indonesia's environmental governance. The results of this study show that internally there are weaknesses in policy implementation and coordination between institutions. Nonetheless, Indonesia has received international assistance, created sub-directorate bodies, provided education to the public, imposed environmental taxes and fines following applicable regulations, and involved NGOs and international organizations in the environmental governance process of handling cross-border smoke pollution.