In November 2025, Indonesia faced one of its deadliest disasters when days of heavy rainfall triggered landslides and flooding across three provinces on the island of Sumatra: North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh.
The death toll, which exceeded one thousand, along with widespread destruction of homes and property, serves as a stark wake-up call, according to Greenpeace Indonesia Director Leonard Simanjuntak.
Environmental groups argue that this disaster should not be treated as an isolated event. Instead, it highlights persistent challenges in land use, energy planning, and governance that leave large parts of the country vulnerable to extreme weather.
Climate Risks and Infrastructure Challenges
The 2024 OECD Environment Policy Paper emphasizes the critical role of infrastructure investment in Indonesia’s economic and social development, as well as the urgent need to integrate climate resilience into planning.
The report projects that climate-related flooding could increase urban flood damage more than fourfold by 2030. By 2070, approximately 4 million Indonesians could face permanent flooding due to rising sea levels.
Strengthening climate resilience is a key priority under Indonesia’s Medium-Term Development Plan (2020–2024). The plan underscores the importance of accurate data, risk management, and resilient infrastructure systems.
Supporting frameworks, such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change Adaptation and the Climate Resilience Development Policy (2020–2045), emphasize improving the design, location, and durability of critical infrastructure, including water, energy, and transport systems.
Building resilience through data and innovation
Recognizing the importance of data for resilience planning, Indonesia is enhancing local-level climate risk data collection and integrating it into national information platforms.
The government has also introduced standardized guidelines to support local authorities in implementing resilient infrastructure solutions.
Nature-based solutions (NbS) are another key strategy. These include restoring watersheds and developing green infrastructure to reduce the impact of floods and landslides.
At the Resilient Roads: Infrastructure Adaptation Against Climate Change webinar held on March 4, 2026, experts highlighted the country’s vulnerability and ongoing efforts to strengthen infrastructure resilience.
Professor Siti Malkhamah from Universitas Gadjah Mada emphasized that climate change is challenging traditional infrastructure design methods, which have historically relied on past data. In a country as geographically diverse as Indonesia, these challenges become even more intricate.
Climate-resilient road infrastructure
Indonesia’s varied landscape, from mountainous regions to coastal zones, makes it highly susceptible to landslides, flooding, and accelerated road deterioration.
To address these risks, engineers and policymakers are adopting innovative approaches. These include:
- AI-powered road condition monitoring systems
- Performance-based road management
- Use of locally sourced, sustainable materials
- Environmentally friendly construction technologies
Infrastructure adaptation strategies also include elevating roads, improving drainage capacity, and reinforcing slopes using techniques such as soil nailing and geotextiles.
Bridge designs now incorporate hydrological analysis to withstand extreme water flows and shifting soil conditions.
These combined efforts reflect a shift toward integrating digital innovation with climate-resilient engineering practices.
A model for climate-resilient development
As Indonesia faces increasing threats from extreme weather, its approach to combining resilient infrastructure, advanced technologies, and nature-based solutions offers valuable lessons for other climate-vulnerable nations.
By prioritizing long-term resilience and learning from past disasters, Indonesia is building a framework that could serve as a model for sustainable and adaptive infrastructure management and development worldwide.
Sources:
Jong, H. (2025, December 30). Indonesia closes 2025 with rising disasters and stalled environmental reform. Mongabay. Retrieved from https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/indonesia-closes-2025-with-rising-disasters-and-stalled-environmental-reform/
Adapting infrastructure to changing climatic conditions: The case of Indonesia. Policy Paper. (2024, December 18). OECD. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/adapting-infrastructure-to-changing-climatic-conditions-the-case-of-indonesia_75547f67-en.html#
Road Infrastructure Development in Indonesia Should Adapt to Climate Change. (2026, March 16). Universitas Gadjah Mada. Retrieved from https://ugm.ac.id/en/news/road-infrastructure-development-in-indonesia-should-adapt-to-climate-change/
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