Drivers, barriers and opportunities for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) integration in Indonesia

Climate change is expected to increase frequency, severity and intensity of disasters. Indonesia is known to be one of the most vulnerable countries to natural hazards in the world. It is located in the geological row of volcanic mountain known as the ‘ring of fire’, while more than half disaster events in Indonesia is climate-related. There have been increasing and stronger propositions for integrated disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in trying to reduce vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change. This paper utilises the Earth System Governance (ESG) framework to analyse the integration. Journal articles and organisational reports are reviewed to identify actors and institutions involved in DRR and CCA activities in Indonesia. Field research through semi-structured interviews was conducted to key organisations. This paper tries to examine drivers, barriers and most importantly opportunities for institutional integration for DRR and CCA in Indonesia. It is argued that the Indonesian governments’ institutional capacity and arrangements can be both as the main barrier and driver for integration. It is found that the main barrier for the integration is at the national government level is the separation of government organisations and sectoral ministries, leading to uncoordinated planning for CCA and DRR. Strong relationship between key government organisations in DRR and non-government and international organisations, which are involved both in DRR and CCA, hold the key for integrated application both in policy and practice. Opportunity for integration is even greater at the local government and community level. However, more financial and technical supports from the national, international and non-government are needed in order to make use the opportunity.