KnE Social Sciences

Published date: Oct 31 2025

Journal Title: KnE Social Sciences

Issue title: The 8th Legal International Conference and Studies (LICS 2025): Corporate Responsibility and Environmental Law Through Economic & Business Management Practices

Pages: 485 - 497

DOI: 10.18502/kss.v10i27.20085

Salma Nur Hanifahsalma.std@unissula.ac.idUniversitas Islam Sultan Agung (UNISSULA), Semarang

Global climate change and environmental degradation due to the exploitation of natural resources have become serious challenges to the environmental legal system in various countries, including Indonesia. One of the cases that reflects the complexity of the relationship between economic, political, and environmental protection interests is the mining activities by PT. Freeport Indonesia in Papua. The company is known to have been exploiting copper and gold mines on a large scale since 1967. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of national environmental laws, especially Law No. 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management, in dealing with environmental damage caused by Freeport’s activities. Using a qualitative approach and case studies, this study analyzes the dynamics of regulations, institutions, and law enforcement practices in the field. The results show that although normatively Indonesian environmental laws have adopted important principles such as prudence, polluter pays, and public participation, their application is still weak. This is due to the low independence of law enforcement, weak administrative supervision, and a conflict of interest between the state as a regulator and Freeport’s shareholder. In conclusion, national environmental laws are not yet effective in facing the challenges of global climate change if they are still controlled by short-term economic interests. Structural reforms, protection of indigenous peoples, and strengthening law enforcement mechanisms are urgent in bringing ecological justice to exploit-prone areas such as Papua.

Keywords: climate, ecosystem, environmental law, global

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