The world needs to decarbonise rapidly if we are to avert catastrophic climate breakdown. But what are the costs of an energy transition that simply substitutes mega solar power and wind turbine projects for fossil fuels? The “green” transition that states and corporate interests are pushing would mean huge increases in mineral mining, with devastating consequences for land, water, biodiversity, and the millions of people who depend on these for their livelihood and homes.
In the opening plenary of Resisting Green Imperialism: Fighting for a Socially Just Transition, one-day event we organised on 30 November 2025, we heard from campaigners on the frontlines of resistance to green imperialism, from West Papua and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to Ecuador. With keynote speech from Adam Hanieh, expert on the political economy of oil, the panel provided a searing expose of the injustices of an era of energy expansion under the guise of energy transition.
The panel was facilitated by LMN coordinator Dorothy Guerrero, and featured Adam Hanieh (University of Exeter), Benny Wenda (Free West Papua Campaign), Ivonne Yanez (Acción Ecológica), Béni Libondje (Stand for Congo).
Watch all the recordings and the discussion: