Representatives from indigenous peoples worldwide have issued demands for participation and shared prosperity in the transition to renewable energy. In a statement released today, 87 indigenous representatives from 35 countries outlined their demands for respect for indigenous rights, social equity, and cultural integrity in the shift to renewable energy.
The representatives convened ahead of this week's UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in a conference organized by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI), and Right Energy Partnership with Indigenous Peoples (REP). The statement underscores the critical importance of transitioning to renewable energy globally while highlighting the failure to respect indigenous rights and the resulting harm to people and the planet.
The statement emphasizes the need to place indigenous peoples at the forefront of renewable energy initiatives, citing their significant renewable energy potential and the presence of transition minerals on indigenous lands. Participants stressed that a just transition is impossible without respecting the rights of those who have inhabited these territories for millennia.
Specific demands were outlined for states, companies, and energy regulators. States were urged to expedite divestment from fossil fuels and provide funding, access to climate financing mechanisms, and capacity-building support for indigenous peoples in renewable energy development. Companies and investors were called upon to negotiate and implement equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms and respect indigenous rights, including the right to free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC). Energy utilities and regulators were asked to ensure full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in energy projects and provide access to affordable renewable energy for indigenous communities.
The statement concludes with a call for action to deliver a just transition based on respect for indigenous peoples' rights, emphasizing the crucial role of indigenous empowerment in achieving a fair, fast, and effective energy transition.
