STIGMA AVOIDANCE AND ONTOLOGICAL SECURITY:  INDONESIA’S RESPONSE TO THE EU RED II ON PALM OIL

Hafid Adim Pradana; Arsya Rahma Nur Assyifa; Sayyidul Mubin

doi:10.53806/ijcss.v6i4.1186

Authors

Hafid Adim Pradana Department of International Relations, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang
Arsya Rahma Nur Assyifa Department of International Relations, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang
Sayyidul Mubin Department of Geography, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53806/ijcss.v6i4.1186

Keywords:

EU RED II, Indonesia, ontological security, palm oil, stigma politics

Abstract

The European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive II (EU RED II) excluded palm oil as a sustainable feedstock, indirectly stigmatizing Indonesia as a driver of deforestation. This study analyzes Indonesia’s response through the lens of stigma politics and ontological security. Unlike previous research that focused on material-economic impacts, this article highlights identity preservation and stigma avoidance. Using a qualitative case study and interpretive analysis of policy documents, official statements, and media coverage, the study finds that Indonesia’s strategy reflects stigma avoidance: accepting global sustainability norms while rejecting the negative label. This is demonstrated by its World Trade Organization (WTO) lawsuit against the EU, promotion of the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification, and cooperation with fellow producers through the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC). The study contributes by conceptualizing stigma avoidance as a narrative-based diplomatic practice through which Indonesia safeguards both material interests and ontological security.

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