As global demand for minerals like nickel, lithium or copper rises to fuel renewable technologies, so too do the hidden costs: deforestation, pollution, and displacement of Indigenous communities. A true “Just Transition” goes beyond green promises—it requires honouring Indigenous rights, sovereignty and self-determination, safeguarding biodiversity, and ensuring development aligns with sustainable and equitable practices.
Affected communities, particularly indigenous peoples, are coming together to articulate their positive vision for what this Just Transition means regarding energy transition minerals. In October 2024, numerous Indigenous leaders from across the world convened in Geneva to outline a transformative vision for this transition, adopting 11 guiding principles focused on the rights to life, self-determination, and cultural sovereignty. Their framework demands respect for Indigenous governance, free and informed consent, and reparations for harm caused by exploitative “green” initiatives.
These 11 Principles for a Just Transition are as follows:
1. Right to Life
2. Self-Determination and Sovereignty
3. Decolonization
4. Reparations, Land Restoration, and Biodiversity Protection
5. Respect for Indigenous Ways of Life
6. Transparency and Accountability
7. Economic and Non-Economic Reparations
8. Full Protection of Indigenous Peoples
9. Recognition of Indigenous Roles and Responsibilities
10. Limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C
11. Rights-Based Approach to Supply Chains
These Principles can guide a number of UN relevant processes that are happening this autumn. The first is the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) Conference of Parties, that has recently concluded in Cali, Colombia.
Extensive overlap between crucial biodiversity zones and industrial extraction areas poses severe threats to these ecosystems across tropical regions, with a rapidly closing window of opportunity to protect these irreplaceable areas for climate stability, biodiversity, and human well-being. In the Amazon, 14% of Key Biodiversity Areas overlap with oil/gas blocks and 10% with mining and in the Congo, 40% overlap with oil/gas and 16% with mining.
The CBD COP 16 lead to the establishment of a Permanent Subsidiary Body for Indigenous interests. This marks progress, but as COP16 demonstrated, the journey is ongoing. Despite promising initiatives like Colombia’s proposal for a global treaty to ensure critical mineral traceability, challenges persist. However, Indigenous People have been let down a time too many. The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act, for example, threatens Sámi Indigenous lands by prioritizing resource extraction without consent, a salient issue considering the large number of existing mines and projects in their territories. Despite recommendations to ammend the law to include the FPIC, the final version does not include the provision, thus echoing “colonial tradition.”
The second key meeting is the UNFCCC, of the Climate COP, that started yesterday in Baku, Azerbaijan. This COP, the 29th to take place, will reflect, among other issues, on how a Just Transition can be implemented. Reflecting on the path forward, Indigenous leader Rodion Sulyandziga emphasizes, “The world must understand that there can be no climate justice without Indigenous justice. Without Indigenous knowledge, the quest for a green future is a journey without a map.”
We call on the UK Government, and all State parties, at COP 29 to base any negotiations around a Just Transition on these principles agreed by Indigenous Peoples.
Resources:
Closing Window of Opportunity: Mapping Threats to Important Areas for Conservation in the Pantropics
Human right groups highlight need for just energy transition at COP16
COP16 – A one year sprint for nature
Colombia to present proposal for new critical minerals pact at COP30
COP16: the world’s largest meeting to save nature has ended with no clear path ahead
EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act fails to protect Sámi rights – here’s how to strengthen it