The Green Economy and Decentralization of Natural Resources Management (DNRM) Policy in Indonesia under the International Law Framework: Quo Vadis?

The Green Economy, as the multilateral paradigm for national developments, emerges to counter an obsolete mindset of development. A green economy fosters a responsible long-term developmental attitude, emphasizing environmentally sustainable economic progress to foster low carbon and socially inclusive development. There must be a catalyzation of investment and innovation that will underpin sustained growth and give rise to new economic opportunities. Indonesia is obliged to implement green economy principles and mandates. However, on the national level, there is no specific regulation concerning implementing a Green economy. Since 1999, Indonesia has been implementing decentralization (regional autonomy). The natural resources management policy has been under the authority of regional governments. However, the decentralization has resulted only in the central government’s willingness to redistribute responsibilities but not willing to share decision-making authorities with the regional governments. This phenomenon could jeopardize the green economy implementation. Hitherto, there are a few kinds of literature discussing the implementation of a green economy and the rule of international law in Indonesia. Accordingly, this paper attempts to analyze implementing a green economy and decentralizing natural resources management policy in Indonesia. The doctrinal and comparative law methods will be employed in this research.