Indonesia’s Fires Spark Calls for Corporate Accountability Amid Haze Crisis

In Indonesia, ongoing fires have created a thick haze, raising questions about whether companies can be held responsible for the resulting air pollution. The country often faces fires during its dry season, but this year’s situation is particularly bad due to a strong El Niño weather pattern and years of deforestation.

According to the deforestation monitor Nusantara Atlas, nearly two million hectares have burned this year. The fires have affected not only forests and peatlands but also palm oil and timber plantations that supply large multinational companies. Environmental group WALHI reported that many of the fire hotspots are located within company concessions.

WALHI’s campaigner Umi Ma’rufah stated that the issue is linked to the practices of these companies. Civil society groups have long accused businesses of being responsible for the fires, pointing to hotspots in their plantations.

On October 22, 2026, demonstrators protested outside China’s embassy in Jakarta, demanding audits of supply chains connected to the forest fires. Governments, including Singapore, are also applying pressure. Singapore has issued notices to ten companies, requiring them to take action against the fires on their land.

Some companies have denied responsibility, claiming that fires outside their boundaries spread into their managed areas. For instance, palm oil company First Resources stated that it is not to blame for the fires. However, experts argue that companies may still have legal obligations to prevent fires, even if they start outside their land.

Indonesia has taken steps against companies, including administrative sanctions and criminal proceedings against individuals and corporations. However, some firms previously prosecuted have not paid fines or completed required forest restoration.

Experts also highlight that the ownership and financial ties of these companies often extend beyond Indonesia. This complex web of relationships allows for greater scrutiny and accountability regarding the fires and their impact on the environment.