Greenpeace’s Role As A Transnational Actor In Environmental Governance: A Case Study Of Deforestation And Nickel Mining In Raja Ampat
Keywords:
Greenpeace, deforestation, nickel mining, Raja Ampat, NGOAbstract
This study discusses the role of Greenpeace as a transnational actor in preventing deforestation and nickel mining in Raja Ampat. Raja Ampat is an area with high biodiversity and has important ecological value for the world. However, nickel mining and land clearing activities have caused serious threats to environmental sustainability, including forest degradation, coastal sedimentation, and disturbance to marine ecosystems. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method with data collection techniques through literature studies sourced from journals, books, organizational reports, online media, and official government documents. This study uses the perspective of pluralism and the role theory of NGOs David Lewis to analyze Greenpeace's strategy. The results show that Greenpeace plays a role through investigation and mapping of mining areas, digital #SaveRajaAmpat campaigns, advocacy to the government, public education through social media, and cooperation with other environmental organizations. Greenpeace has also succeeded in raising international awareness of environmental threats in Raja Ampat and encouraging the government to evaluate mining company permits. This study concludes that Greenpeace has a significant contribution in strengthening environmental governance and protection of conservation areas in Raja Ampat.
References
[1]Ariani, Rafika Dwi. 2025. "Nickel Mining Impacts: Raja Ampat Forest Threatened." Empower by Amartha. https://empower.amartha.com/blog/dampak-tambang-nikel-hutan-raja-ampat-terancam/.
[2]International Conservation Agency. "Conservation Areas in the Waters of the Raja Ampat Islands." Conservation Areas in the Waters of the Raja Ampat Islands.
[3]National Research and Innovation Agency. 2025. "The History of Nickel Exploration on Gag Island of Raja Ampat, Started by the Dutch in 1920." Kompas.com. https://regional.kompas.com/read/2025/06/08/201819078/sejarah-eksplorasi-nikel-di-pulau-gag-raja-ampat-dimulai-belanda-pada-1920.
[4]BLUD UPTD Management of Marine Conservation Areas of the Raja Ampat Islands. "Raja Ampat Tourism Reflects: Times Have Turned into an Era of Vigilance." BLUD UPTD Management of Marine Conservation Areas of the Raja Ampat Islands.
[5]Casinader, Niranjan. 2017. Theories: Transnnasionalism.
[6]CNN Indonesia. 2025. "Minister of Environment Opens Voice on Nickel Mine Pollution in Raja Ampat." https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20250608144232-20-1237649/menteri-lh-buka-suara-soal-pencemaran-tambang-nikel-di-raja-ampat.
[7]D. Nugraheny, S. Setiawan. 2025. "PT Gag Nickel Nickel Mine Raja Ampat Resumes Operations." Kompas.com. https://www.kompas.com/money/read/2025/09/15/tambang-nikel-pt-gag-raja-ampat-kembali-beroperasi-prabowo-perintahkan-pengawasan%0A.
[8]Tourism Office of Raja Ampat Regency. 2024. Travel Etiquette in Raja Ampat. Raja Ampat: Raja Ampat Tourism Office.
[9]Earth, Down to. 2008. “BHP Billiton Pulls Out of Gag Nickel Project, West Papua.”
[10]Fadhlurrahman, Fauzi. 2021. "Greenpeace's Efforts to Tackle Deforestation in Indonesia by Wilmar International." Andalas University.
[11]Global Forest Watch. 2024. "Raja Ampat, Indonesia, West Papua Deforestation Rates & Statistics." Global Forest Watch.
[12]Greenpeace. 2025. “Greenpeace Investigation Reveals Extent of Nickel Mining Plans in Raja Ampat, Indonesia’s ‘Last Paradise’ Website: Greenpeace.”
[13]Greenpeace Indonesia. 2025a. "Greenpeace Southeast Asia Brings #SaveRajaAmpat Story to UN Forum, Urges Nickel Governance." Greenpeace Indonesia.
[14]Greenpeace Indonesia. 2025b. "Criticizing Nickel Industrialization, Greenpeace Activists Hold Action at International Nickel Conference in Jakarta."
[15]Greenpeace Indonesia. 2025c. "Protect Raja Ampat Fully and Permanently."
[16]Greenpeace Indonesia. 2025d. "Protecting the Last Heaven: Greenpeace Investigation Reveals Major Plan for the Nickel Industry in Raja Ampat."
[17]Greenpeace Indonesia. 2025e. "Raja Ampat Threatened: The Return of PT Gag Nickel Operations is a Disaster for the Indonesian People and Papuan Nature." Greenpeace Indonesia. https://www.greenpeace.org/indonesia/siaran-pers/65071/raja-ampat-terancam-kembalinya-operasi-pt-gag-nikel-adalah-bencana-bagi-rakyat-indonesia-dan-alam-papua/.
[18]Greenpeace Indonesia. 2025f. Paradise lost? How nickel mining threatens the future of one of the world's most important conservation areas. Jakarta. https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-indonesia-stateless/2025/06/d1b1ba8c-surga_yang_hilang_raja_ampat_laporan.pdf.
[19]Greenpeace Indonesia. "FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions." Greenpeace Indonesia. ttps://www.greenpeace.org/.
[20]Greenpeace Internasional. 2024. “Greenpeace Structure and Organisation.” https://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/about/how-is-greenpeace-structured/ (November 25, 2025).
[21]Hendra Sani, Syamsuddin. 2025. "Nickel Mining Conflict in Raja Ampat: An Analysis of Environmental Ethics and Mining Engineering for Sustainable Conservation." 4(2): 3453–61.
sister-in-law, Francis Pati; "Your Majesty, Your Majesty. 2022. "The Irony of Mining in Coral Reef Paradise." Kompas.com. https://www.kompas.id/artikel/the-irony-of-mining-in-coral-reef-paradise.
[22]Indonesia is rich. 2023. "Raja Ampat: The World's Adventurer's Paradise at the Tip of Papua." Indonesia is rich. https://indonesiakaya.com/ruang-media/raja-ampat-surga-petualangan-dunia-di-ujung-papua.
[23]Iskandar, Ihsan. 2025. "Environmental Safety Review of the Nickel Mining Issue in Raja Ampat Indonesia Tourist Sites." Sukma College of Management Sciences Medan.
[24]Jemadu, Alexis. 2008. Global Politics in Theory and Practice. Pert Edition. Yogyakarta: Graha Ilmu.
[25]Kauppi, Paul R. Viotti and Mark V. 2007. International Relations Theory. 3rd ed. London: Allyn and Bacon.
[26]Keohane,Robert.; Nye, Joseph. 1977. Power and Interdependence: World Politics in Transition. Littel, Brown and Company. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=K‐4nAAAAMAAJ.
kompas.com. 2025. "Raja Ampat, Traces of Forest Destruction, and Its Hopes." Kompas.com.
[27]Lewis, David; Kanji, Nazneen. 2009. Non-Geovermental Organizations and Development. Routledge. https://personal.lse.ac.uk/lewisd/images/Non-Governmental Organizations and Development vouchers.pdf.
[28]Lindbloom, Alex. 2017. “Kawe.” Mermaid Liveaboards.
[29]Maulia, Rafika Farah, Andreas Alfonsus Sahat, Firli W. Wahyuputri, and Arifa Tariqa Imani. 2025. LPEM FEB UI Raja Ampat in the Shadow of Mining: Should It Be Continued?
[30]Putro, Dimas Eko, Doris Juarsa, B P Putra Hermana, Bagastian Bagastian, and Heni Sulistiani. 2025. "Bulletin Of Computer Science Research Analysis of Public Sentiment Towards 'Save Raja Ampat' on Social Media Using the IndoBERT Model." 5(5): 1067–75. doi:10.47065/bulletincsr.v5i5.621.
[31]Rafa, Ersa Nabalah, Yoma Bagus Pamungkas, and Ami Saptiyono. 2025. "Journal of Communication Science Dynamics of the Influence of Greenpeace Indonesia's Instagram Campaign on Pro-Environmental Behavior: Mediating Emotions and Awareness." 11(02): 357–70.
[32]Samperante, Ranky. 2025. "Action of the Raja Ampat Nature Conservation Alliance: Reject the Expansion and Exploitation of Nickel Mining." The People's Heritage Foundation. https://pusaka.or.id/news/aksi-aliansi-jaga-alam-raja-ampat-tolak-ekspansi-dan-eksploitasi-pertambangan-nikel/.
[33]Sani, Hendra, and Syamsuddin Syamsuddin. 2025. "Nickel Mining Conflict in Raja Ampat: An Analysis of Environmental Ethics and Mining Engineering for Sustainable Conservation." RIGGS: Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Business 4(2): 3453–61. doi:10.31004/riggs.v4i2.1041.
[34]Santioso, Claudia Marcia Anastasia; Sinaga, Melpayanty. 2025. “Greenpeace’s Transnational Advocacy Strategies Against Nickel Mining in Raja Ampat.” BHUVANA: Journal of Global Studies 3(2): 219–239. doi:10.59408/bjgs.v3i2.256.
[35]Saputera, Nicholas. 2025. "Greenpeace Protests Color Nickel Conference, Four Activists Secured." Koma.id.
[36]Setiawan, Verda Nano. 2025. "Announcement of Nickel Mine in Raja Ampat Temporarily Suspended." CNBC Indonesia. https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20250605151118-4-638905/pengumuman-tambang-nikel-di-raja-ampat-dihentikan-sementara.
[37]Sirajuddin Saleh. 2017. "Publisher of Pustaka Ramadhan, Bandung." Qualitative Data Analysis 1: 180. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/228075212.pdf.
[38]Stroup, Sarah. 2022. “NGOs and States In Global Politics: A Brief-Review.” E-International Relations.
[39]Tempo.co. 2025a. "BREAKING NEWS: KLH Seals 4 Nickel Mines in Raja Ampat."
[40]Tempo.co. 2025b. "The Impact of the Raja Ampat Nickel Mine: Sedimentation to Deforestation."
[41]Tempo.co. 2025c. "UNESCO Designates Raja Ampat as a World Biosphere Reserve." Tempo.co. https://tempo.co/internasional/unesco-tetapkan-raja-ampat-sebagai-cagar-biosfer-dunia-2073967.
[42]Tineges, Rian. 2021. "Secondary Data is a Must-Know Type of Research Data." DQLab. https://dqlab.id/data-sekunder-adalah-jenis-data-penelitian-yang-wajib-diketahui.
[43]Umam. "Definition, History, Types, and Roles of NGOs."
[44]UNESCO. 2023. “Raja Ampat.” United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
[45]UNESCO. “Raja Ampat.” United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
[46]Wikipedia contributors. 2025. "Raja Ampat Regency." Wikipedia Foundation. https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabupaten_Raja_Ampat (January 27, 2026).
Wikipedia contributors. "Waigeo Island." English Wikipedia.