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Article

15 Sep 2023

Author:
Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)

Report explains Indigenous community ownership of renewable energy as one key component of a just transition

“Community Ownership of Renewable Energy: How it Works in Nine Countries”, 21 February 2023

…If we are to avoid the situation that arose with local communities being marginalised and excluded from the benefits of locally sourced fossil fuels, we must ensure a just transition into the low carbon economy. This means giving agency to local and indigenous communities - both through Free, Prior and Informed Consent, and through financial equity and partnership…

…Canada is considered the leading country with regards to indigenous participation in renewable energy projects. Sukunda wind energy project... [is mentioned as a notable example of] Partnership between Saulteau First Nation (majority ownership) and the renewable energy company Natural Forces....There is a growing consensus that it is imperative to engage Indigenous People at all stages of energy projects that affect them in any way…

…Perhaps the greatest challenge to indigenous ownership of renewable projects in Chile is the absence of a robust legal framework that recognises indigenous ancestral lands and sovereignty...

Mainstream Renewable Power (MRP), an Irish owned renewable energies company and one of Chile's largest investors, has sought to promote just transition in Chile in partnership with affected communities. They have successfully set up 14 projects between 2014 and 2020...

The situation for indigenous peoples in Honduras with respect to their land rights and rights over natural resources is increasingly critical. The Special Rapporteur for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples observed that for all the wind and hydroelectric contracts approved in 2010 which affected indigenous communities, none of the communities were consulted…

One major challenge for Indigenous communities in Mexico has been conflict with developers of renewable energy projects who often use repressive techniques against opposition to construction…

Wind power expansion has intensified the conflict over the exploitation of natural resources in Norway. Wind power companies argue that the expansion is crucial for the green transition required to save the environment whereas the Sami argue that this is nothing but green colonialism…

Throughout Scotland, trusts have been set up in both rural and urban, and mainland and island communities to help the respective community flourish through “community-led activity, partnership working and enterprise”…. These trusts can ensure that the revenues of large wind projects can be shared fairly with and benefit the entire community…

Since the United States was founded, Native Americans have faced atrocities and dispossession as part of settler colonialism....Native Nations have long been acknowledged as sovereign, [however] they continue to face barriers in obtaining political and legal autonomy....

To produce renewable energy and become self-sufficient, six Sioux tribes in South Dakota—have established their wholly-owned multi-tribal power authority, known as Oceti akowi (OSPA). OSPA created the largest native wind projects in the United States in a cooperative venture with a wind developer, Apex Clean Energy...