Environmental Law as an Instrument for Accelerating Renewable Energy in Indonesia: A Normative Analysis of Permitting, Ecological Justice, and Energy Transition Governance

Abstract

This article analyzes the role of environmental law in accelerating the development of renewable energy in Indonesia. The main issue examined is the lack of alignment between environmental protection mandates, energy transition targets, and a permitting framework that still tends to treat renewable energy projects as ordinary administrative matters rather than instruments for reducing ecological risks. The research employs a normative legal methodology with legislative, conceptual, and energy policy data analysis approaches. The findings indicate that environmental law has not yet been sufficiently established as an enabling regulatory framework to accelerate renewable energy in a fair manner. Major obstacles stem from the dominance of fossil fuels in the energy mix, regulatory fragmentation, uncertainty regarding incentives, limited local institutional capacity, and weak mechanisms for meaningful participation. This article emphasizes that accelerating renewable energy requires risk-based permitting reforms, harmonization of climate and energy policies, strengthening of ecological justice, and the design of local benefits so that the energy transition is not only low-emission but also legally and socially legitimate.