Environmental Justice in Jakarta: Equity in Sustainability

Environmental justice, as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of their race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. It emphasizes that no group of people should experience a disproportionate share of negative environmental consequences while also ensuring the protection of basic human rights and the safety and well-being of communities.

Jakarta is among the world’s largest metropolitan areas and known as the world’s fastest “sinking” city. By 2022, the city’s center had a population of about 11.1 million, while the greater metropolitan region known as Jabodetabek was home to more than 33 million people. This rapid urbanization has been shaped by both national and global policies aimed at integrating Indonesia into the capitalist global economy.

Jakarta faces severe environmental challenges, including chronic air pollution, flooding, land subsidence, and poor waste management. The city is also highly vulnerable to the combined threats of flooding and rising sea levels, with nearly 40% of the city already lying below sea level. This vulnerability is worsened by rapid land subsidence, as the ground in Jakarta sinks by an estimated 3 to 10 centimeters each year. Measures taken to address these challenges often end up reinforcing environmental injustices, which not only persist but also gradually expand and deepen.

One of the clearest examples of environmental injustice in Jakarta is air pollution. Low-income groups, who often live and work in crowded and polluted neighborhoods, are disproportionately exposed to health risks. Flooding is another pressing concern. In particular, North Jakarta, where land subsidence and sea-level rise are most severe, is home to many fishing and working-class families.

Large-scale government projects, such as sea walls, are often planned without sufficient input from these affected communities. Consequently, while wealthier districts benefit from protection, poorer residents face uncertainty. At the same time, some community organizations in Jakarta’s kampungs have developed local waste collection systems, promoted urban farming, and created strategies to adapt to flooding. These initiatives empower citizens to have a voice in shaping their city’s future.

To move toward environmental justice, Jakarta needs policies that go beyond centralized planning. This requires ensuring inclusive participation, protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, and prioritizing equitable access to essential resources such as clean air, safe housing, and resilient infrastructure. Without action, the burdens of Jakarta’s environmental crisis will continue to fall unfairly on those least able to bear them.

REFERENCES

https://www.apha.org/topics-and-issues/environmental-health/environmental-justice#:~:text=The%20EPA%20defines%20environmental%20justice,%2C%20regulations%2C%20and%20policies.%E2%80%9D

https://climatalk.org/2024/10/29/indonesias-new-capital-city-an-environmental-justice-perspective/

https://mekandaadalet.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/MADdisplacements7_jakarta.pdf