Understanding environmental ethics and practices in Indonesia

Abstract Environmental degradation and climate change are two mutually reinforcing conditions that pose a threat to humanity. Various sustainable development approaches have been agreed upon by many countries to address these threats, but in reality they have not been effective. Economic and social activities that are solely oriented towards growth and human welfare are the main causes of environmental degradation, whether carried out by individuals, corporations, or illegal economic activities, especially the exploitation of natural resources for the purpose of economic gain. Similarly, development policies in many countries that only prioritize economic growth without environmental conservation programs have created a cycle that continues to facilitate environmental degradation and exacerbate the climate crisis. This article promotes the theory of intentional ecology for the application of environmental ethics, in which every policy choice is based on a paradigm, ideology, good governance, and the use of environmentally friendly technology for sustainable development. The results of this research also show that Indonesia has environmental conservation policies for sustainable development. Currently, environmental impact analysis is a vital component in the industrial licensing process in Indonesia and covers all business activities that have an impact on the environment. However, its implementation is often manipulated as a result of collusion and cronyism between officials and businesspeople in the management of natural resources and industrial activities.