In an unprecedented move, indigenous leaders from 35 countries gathered in New York to voice their concerns over the escalating mining activities on their lands. This development, a byproduct of the world’s shift towards a cleaner energy system, has not only overlooked indigenous rights but also raised questions on environmental sustainability and social equity.
The Green Transition and Indigenous Rights
The leaders, hailing from nations as diverse as the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Kenya, Australia, and Norway, issued a collective statement acknowledging the urgent need for renewable energy in light of the climate crisis. Nevertheless, they criticized the current direction of the green transition for failing to respect indigenous peoples’ rights and disregarding their well-being.
Metals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and aluminum are in high demand for their crucial role in the development of electric vehicles, solar and wind farms, and the expansion of electrical grids. However, the extraction of these resources has left a trail of environmental devastation, an issue that has been amplified due to the increasing criminal persecution and attacks against indigenous leaders.
The Declaration and its Impact
The declaration, a result of the Conference on Indigenous Peoples and the Just Transition, took aim at the International Council of Mining and Metals and the International Seabed Authority. Both organizations were accused of disregarding indigenous rights and continuing with business-as-usual practices, despite the negative impacts of their activities on indigenous lands.
According to a 2022 study published in the journal Nature Sustainability, about half of the energy transition minerals and metal projects are located on or near the lands of indigenous and other subsistence farmers. This situation has resulted in numerous conflicts, such as the one in the arid region of Uyuni, Bolivia, where local communities oppose the intense use of water to produce lithium.
Indigenous Participation in the Energy Transition
Ruth Alipaz Cuqui, an Indigenous leader from the Bolivian Amazon, stated that although indigenous people have the least impact on the planet, they acknowledge the need to partake in the energy transition process. She emphasized that their participation should be comprehensive to ensure a fair energy transition.
The conference, organized by the Indigenous Peoples Rights International, was supported by several nonprofits, including Nia Tero, The Christensen Fund, the Henry Luce Foundation, the Waverley ST Foundation, and the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment.
As the world races towards a cleaner energy system, it becomes imperative that the transition is carried out with full respect for indigenous rights, social equity, and environmental sustainability. These issues, if not addressed, could cause a significant setback in the fight against climate change.