ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — On this year’s Youth Pledge Day (Sumpah Pemuda), Indonesia’s young generation is making their voices heard loud and clear: they are demanding greater climate accountability from the government.
Growing up in a world already gripped by the climate crisis, Gen Z faces extreme heat, worsening air pollution, frequent floods, droughts, and ecosystem collapse — the price of decades of unsustainable development choices that prioritized economic growth over environmental protection.
During the Bi-Weekly Nexus of the Three Planetary Crises discussion titled “Gen Z Demands Climate Accountability”, on October 28, 2025, youth climate advocates Febriani Nainggolan from Climate Rangers and Dian Irawati from Kawula17 shared new research reflecting the rising awareness — and disappointment — among Indonesian youth toward the government’s climate action.
Climate Crisis: The Burden of a Generation
According to Climate Rangers’ survey of 382 Gen Z respondents in Jakarta, most young people acknowledge that the extreme weather they are experiencing is a direct result of climate change. However, 95.5% still perceive it only as unusual weather events, overlooking the deeper consequences such as deteriorating physical and mental health, food insecurity, and infrastructure damage caused by floods and tidal surges.
“Children born in 2020 will experience seven times more heatwaves, three times more droughts, and twice as many major floods compared to their grandparents,” said Febriani Nainggolan, Campaign & Communication Staff at Climate Rangers.
Febri emphasized that the greatest responsibility lies with the government, yet 62.4% of young respondents feel that their inclusion in policymaking remains tokenistic — mere symbolism without substance.
“Young people are often invited only as decoration, not as real contributors to decision-making. But we are the ones who will bear the consequences,” she asserted.
Moderator Fiorentina Refani criticized the absence of representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora), saying,
“Don’t involve Gen Z just to fill a stage — listen to our input. Change your climate policies to reflect our future and take more ambitious action to cut emissions.”
A Rising Wave of Youth Environmental Activism
Dian Irawati, Co-Founder of Kawula17, presented findings from her organization’s Q3 2025 public survey involving 404 respondents, revealing that Indonesians are increasingly concerned about:
Inefficient waste management (33%), and
Environmental degradation caused by mining (32%).
These concerns are amplified by viral campaigns such as #SaveRajaAmpat and #SavePulauPadar, which spotlight deforestation, ocean damage, and Indigenous land dispossession.
In a separate survey involving 1,342 young respondents, Kawula17 found a sharp rise in youth activism: 42% identified as “participants” and 35% as “activists”, reflecting a surge in civic engagement on issues of environment, human rights, gender equality, and anti-corruption.
“Young people are too often seen as burdens instead of vulnerable groups that must be protected. In reality, they are key actors in driving climate solutions,” Dian stressed.
Global Climate Goals Falling Behind
Febri reminded that the world has committed to the Paris Agreement, aiming to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. However, global temperatures have already risen by 1.3°C, and even in the most optimistic scenario, could reach 1.9°C, breaching the safe limit.
“Indonesia’s climate policies are still not ambitious enough. Emissions continue to rise — even with the forestry sector factored in,” Febri added.
Through its network across 32 provinces, Climate Rangers has consolidated youth demands for stronger climate governance.
Demands to the Global Community
Implement fair and ambitious climate policies.
Ensure a just energy transition.
Deliver climate finance and historical accountability.
Guarantee meaningful youth participation in global decision-making.
Demands to the Indonesian Government
Pass a national climate justice policy.
End false or greenwashing climate solutions.
Accelerate a just energy transition.
Fund community-based climate initiatives.
Ensure all policies align with environmental justice principles.
Gen Z: The Voice of a Greener Future
The climate crisis is no longer a future threat — it is today’s reality. Indonesia’s Gen Z is rising not only as witnesses but as agents of change, demanding transparency, justice, and urgent action from policymakers.
As they echo the spirit of Youth Pledge Day 2025, these young voices remind the nation: without a healthy planet, there is no future worth fighting for. (AT Network)
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