Amid the growing momentum toward COP30 in Brazil, global attention has once again turned to Latin America—not only because of its role as the world’s “second lung” after Southeast Asia, but also due to its increasingly prominent model of energy transition and agrarian reform. Behind the grandeur of the Amazon rainforest, Brazil offers an important lesson: climate justice cannot be separated from social justice.
Bioethanol: Clean Energy Rooted in the Land
Brazil is one of the world’s most successful countries in developing sugarcane-based bioethanol as an alternative to fossil fuels. Since the oil crisis of the 1970s, the country has actively promoted a more environmentally friendly energy diversification strategy. Today, around 48% of Brazil’s transportation energy consumption comes from biofuels, primarily bioethanol.
What makes this transition noteworthy is that it is not merely technological—it is deeply shaped by public policy and targeted incentives. Brazil has established stable biofuel blending mandates, such as 27% ethanol in gasoline and 12% biodiesel in diesel fuel, while building integrated supply chains from sugarcane farmers to processing plants. This has created a robust industrial ecosystem and contributed significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
However, this success has not been without criticism. Civil society groups have raised concerns about land rights, particularly in rural areas and Indigenous territories. Large-scale biofuel production schemes have at times conflicted with community land ownership, triggering disputes that underscore the importance of a just, rights-based energy transition.
Agrarian Reform: Redistributing Land for Justice
At the same time, Brazil is well known for its strong agrarian reform movement. The Landless Workers’ Movement (MST), for example, has been a major socio-political force for decades, advocating land access for small farmers and Indigenous communities.
Land redistribution policies in Brazil are not merely about economic access—they are about identity, sustainability, and democracy. When Indigenous peoples and small-scale farmers are granted legal rights to their land, they have proven to be among the most effective forest guardians. This is not an empty claim; numerous international studies show that Indigenous territories often experience far lower deforestation rates than state-managed protected areas.
The lesson is clear: agrarian reform that prioritizes grassroots communities is not only a social policy, but also a concrete climate mitigation and adaptation strategy.
Indigenous Voices: Guardians of Knowledge and Nature
Brazil is home to more than 300 Indigenous groups with diverse languages, cultures, and knowledge systems. In global climate discourse, their voices are increasingly recognized—especially following waves of protest demanding protection of Indigenous territories from mining, large-scale plantations, and mega infrastructure projects.
Indigenous peoples are not merely “victims” of climate change; they are key actors in preserving tropical ecosystems. Their local knowledge of biodiversity, weather patterns, and sustainable farming practices has been tested over centuries. At COP30, their voices will be critical in determining whether climate justice truly includes everyone.
Reflections for Indonesia
Indonesia and Brazil share many similarities: vast tropical forests, rich Indigenous knowledge, and development challenges that often clash with sustainability principles. Like Brazil, Indonesia has the opportunity to shape a just and inclusive energy transition.
Indonesia’s mandatory bioenergy program (B40) is already underway, with targets to increase to B50 and even discussions of B100, alongside ethanol-based initiatives such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Yet the country’s heavy reliance on palm oil as the primary feedstock continues to pose complex ecological and social challenges.
Brazil’s long journey with biofuels offers valuable insights. The country began implementing biofuel policies as early as 1931. In the 1970s, it introduced RenovaBio, a market-based incentive system that promotes sustainable biofuel production and consumption. Brazil’s success also lies in policy consistency and continuity. Stable blending mandates—such as 27% ethanol in gasoline and 12% biodiesel in diesel—have provided certainty for industry and investors. This demonstrates that an energy transition cannot rely on ambition alone; it requires a strong and stable policy foundation.
In Indonesia, a similar model could be adapted through the creation of a centralized institution that not only bridges sectors but also directly oversees policy implementation. Such an institution would need a strong mandate, sufficient resources, and flexibility to respond to evolving challenges. Crucially, a participatory approach must be central, ensuring small farmers are directly involved in decision-making and supply chain governance.
Agrarian reform in Indonesia remains unfinished. Indigenous voices are still frequently marginalized. Yet there is an opportunity to learn from Brazil’s experience: climate solutions cannot be built solely through technology and diplomacy—they must also be grounded in solidarity with the communities that have safeguarded the earth from the very beginning.
As the world turns its attention to Brazil to discuss the planet’s future, it is time for Indonesia to strengthen its commitment to comprehensive climate justice. Protecting tropical forests and the planet is not achieved through promises alone, but through concrete action and genuine alignment with the people who depend on—and protect—these ecosystems.
