In September the UN Secretary General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals released its report Resourcing the Energy Transition: Principles to Guide Critical Energy Transition Minerals Towards Equity and Justice. These principles aim to center human rights as well as the integrity of the planet and environment. They also recognize that “[a] world powered by renewables is a world hungry for critical minerals.” The vital and irreplaceable nature of these minerals alongside the human rights, environmental justice, and equity focus often come into conflict.
Human history is rife with examples of this conflict being borne by indigenous peoples. As recognized by the report, “Mining, at all scales, large and small, has too often been linked with human rights abuses, environmental degradation and conflict. Indigenous Peoples’ lands and resources have been dispossessed and the lives of local peoples upended.” The ILO has similarly recognized this concern, resolving to “establish a mechanism for dialogue with indigenous and tribal peoples so as to acquire knowledge and develop a road map for a just transition.” The first of these dialogues is set to be held in Brazil in December 2024.
This past cannot be repeated. A just transition would be a boon for populations near mineral wealth that have too often been neglected and would create wealth and advancement for developing states. In order for prosperity to be shared and past human rights abuses to be avoided, real consultation and cooperation is necessary. This discussion aims to bring together experts in indigenous rights and critical minerals to discuss what real consultation and cooperation would look like and how human rights protections can play a vital role in the current critical minerals environment.
This event is made possible through generous support from the International Labour Organisation office for the United States and Canada.
