Bali, Indonesia – Residents led by the Bali Coalition for the Environment and Sustainability Movement (PULIHKAN BALI) initiated a climate lawsuit against the Indonesian government due to its failure to mitigate floods that caused 18 deaths and massive destruction last September 9-10, 2025.

Plaintiffs this week notified the Central Government of Indonesia and Regional Government of Bali of their intent to sue, giving the government 60 days to respond before it files a citizen lawsuit with the Denpasar District Court. Among the 10 plaintiffs in this lawsuit is Bali resident and 350.org Field Organizer Suriadi Darmoko.

Suriadi Darmoko, plaintiff and 350.org Field Organizer said, “The International Court of Justice climate ruling makes it clear: states have an obligation to protect its people from climate harms. Through this action, we wish to tell the Indonesian government and COP30 leaders: we will no longer stand by idly as climate inaction destroys lives, our homes, and livelihoods. We are rising to demand justice. What we seek is not just recognition and compensation, but to be protected from future harm.
We already have the science to prove that intense storms and heavy rainfall can be attributed to climate change. In addition to spatial planning and environmental management, climate change mitigation must be part of Bali’s disaster management policies. All fossil fuel projects must be stopped, including plans to install a LNG terminal and gas-fired power plants. Using climate-heating gas for energy when renewable energy sources are abundant is downright criminal.”

The plaintiffs demand the following:

  1. Halt all new business permits for projects that harm Bali’s environment and ecosystems;
  2. Conduct a comprehensive environmental assessment of the Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, and Tabanan regions with full community participation to guide climate-resilient development;
  3. Reform policies to ensure equitable land use, climate-friendly infrastructure, sustainable waste management, and environmental protection across Bali; and
  4. Issue a Bali Provincial Regulation on Climate Justice that addresses mitigation, adaptation, and compensation for climate damages

Sisilia Nurmala Dewi, 350.org Indonesia Team Lead said, “This legal action by Bali residents delivers a bold statement to world leaders at COP30: if our leaders won’t act, the people will. Words are no longer enough. We need a clear roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, triple renewable energy, and ensure rich nations pay their climate debt. Only real climate action can address the anger and injustice felt by frontline communities who have been pushed to the brink of survival.”

Ignatius Rhadite, lawyer from the legal team of PULIHKAN BALI Coalition said, “This citizen lawsuit is based on the government’s legal obligation to protect the public’s right to a clean and safe environment as guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution Article 28H paragraph (1) and Law No. 32 of 2009. Negligence in spatial planning, drainage, and disaster management systems demonstrates unlawful acts by the authorities that led to the deadly September 2025 floods.”

Ida Bagus Mandhara Brasika, scientist and researcher, PULIHKAN BALI Coalition said, “Data shows a real ecological crisis in Bali. In the past five years, Bali has lost 6,522 hectares of rice fields. Denpasar’s green open space is only 3.2% when the law requires it to be at least 30%. The Ayung watershed forest has been degraded down to only 3% cover. Waste is unmanaged, with 33 thousand tons of waste entering waterways annually. This is not merely about high rainfall, but a structural problem of failed governance. Science is clear: without a development moratorium, climate disaster preparation, and immediate corrective action, similar tragedies will continue to recur. Bali needs sustainable and climate-resilient development, not development that sacrifices citizens’ safety.”

Media Contacts:

Suriadi Darmoko, plaintiff and 350.org Indonesia Field Organizer, suriadi.darmoko@350.org, +62 85737439019
Ignatius Rhadite, legal team, Bali Coalition for the Environment and Sustainability (PULIHKAN BALI), +62 82236944930
Ilang-Ilang Quijano, 350.org Asia Communications Manager, ilang.quijano@350.org, +639175810934