SDGs and Environmental Justice: A Rawlsian Perspective on Policies for Poor and Vulnerable People

Abstract

This paper explores how Rawlsian Justice theory distinguishes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their role as catalysts for ecological justice and examines its application in shaping government policies that garner support from community stakeholders. By adopting a philosophical and regulatory approach, this study employs John Rawls’ theory of justice to analyze key Indonesian policies in pursuit of critical and multidimensional solutions. Findings indicate that SDG-related programs should prioritize the basic needs of the poor and the vulnerable. Some actual examples in Indonesia are the Free Nutritious Meals program (SDG 2) and Social Forestry (SDGs 1, 15, and 16), both of which act as positive catalysts by prioritizing the poor and the vulnerable. Conversely, Industrial Downstreaming (SDGs 1, 8, 9, 2, and 12), Infrastructure Development (SDGs 8, 9, and 11), and the Relocation of the National Capital (SDGs 9, 11, 13, and 15) may be classified as inhibitor or negative catalysts, as they do not directly prioritize the needs of poor and vulnerable communities. Both types face funding challenges; however, negative catalysts tend to cause long-term environmental degradation, whereas positive catalysts have a more direct and immediate effect on vulnerable communities.