Indonesia Climate Diplomacy: An Eclectic Approach in Understanding the Logic of Action of Indonesia Foreign Policy on Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract

This study examines the logic of action of the current Indonesia foreign policy in climate change mitigation. Since the climate change conference in Bali in 2007, Conference of Parties (COP 13), Indonesia has advocated itself as an active global leader in climate diplomacy. At COP 15, in Copenhagen, Indonesia committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emission up to 41 percent below business as usual (BAU) by 2020. Many consider this as a very ambitious target. It is questionable whether this foreign policy is purely derived from Indonesia’s national interest or merely pressure from international community or Great Powers. This study will eclectically use the three approaches of foreign policy from neorealist (Baumann, Rittberger and Wagner 2001), utilitarian liberal (Freund and Rittberger 2001), and constructivist (Boekle, Rittberger and Wagner 2001) to understand the logic of action of Indonesia foreign policy on climate change mitigation. I argue that there are clear evidences of the existence of both logic of consequentiality: seeking autonomy and influence (neorealist) and maximizing gains (utilitarian liberal) and the logic of appropriateness: maintaining reputation as a member of international society (constructivist) in the formulation of the policy. I conclude that the climate change has enabled Indonesia as a state to increase its international influence, regain its domestic control, and strengthen its international legitimacy and acceptance.

Keywords: climate diplomacy, Indonesia, foreign policy

JEL Classification: Z28