Tambang Nikel dan Janji Ekonomi Hijau: Investigasi Politik Kewarganegaraan dalam Narasi Pembangunan Berkelanjutan

Abstract

The global energy transition has significantly increased the demand for nickel, a key component in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies. As the world's largest nickel producer, Indonesia positions itself at the forefront of the green economy through its downstream industrialization policies. This study aims to analyze how the narrative of a “green economy” is constructed and circulated within the context of Indonesia’s nickel industry, and how it affects the politics of citizenship. Employing a qualitative approach and critical discourse analysis (CDA), the research draws on official policy documents, government publications, media reports, and academic literature. The findings reveal that the green economy narrative operates as a hegemonic discourse that emphasizes economic growth and green investment while concealing the ecological and social impacts of extractive activities. This narrative functions as a form of greenwashing that normalizes environmental degradation and marginalizes the rights of local communities. In terms of citizenship politics, affected populations experience an erosion of substantive rights, including participation, land access, and a healthy environment. Their voices are systematically excluded from policy representation, rendering them passive recipients of development rather than active political subjects. This study highlights the importance of critically interrogating sustainability narratives to prevent the reproduction of structural inequalities behind green symbolism. The findings are particularly relevant for shaping a more socially and ecologically just energy transition policy.