Geothermal Narratives and Grassroots Resistance in Indonesia: Decolonial Frameworks for Energy Transitions and Environmental Justice

This article examines the narratives of green energy adopted by opponents of geothermal developments in Indonesia and how they incorporate those narratives into grassroots social movements. Debates about energy transitions are more than pragmatic policy discussions; they are based on concepts of human-nature relations. Decoloniality provides a lens to engage with the energy transition debate by 1) examining to what extent energy transitions reinforce or disrupt power structures that view nature as a material commodity and marginalize affected communities, and 2) enriching social movement theories with embedded narratives of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Community-based researchers in 14 locations affected by geothermal developments collected data and worked with the authors to reflect on findings. The study found contrasting narratives between energy coloniality and decoloniality in six aspects: green energy definitions, environmental impact, ownership of green energy policy, socio-cultural aspects, national development policy, and local development priorities. It found that opposition movements demonstrated decolonial praxis by 1) incorporating religious and cultural practices into creative strategies for resistance, 2) embedding local narratives of green energy, and 3) connecting economic arguments with cases for cultural and spiritual survival. The article concludes with suggestions for future empirical studies of environmental movements using decolonial frameworks.