The similarities between the Transition Minerals and Fossil Fuel Economies and their Impacts on Indigenous Peoples: the Case of Lithium

BY EDSON KRENAK FOR INDIGENOUS DEBATES

The destruction of territories rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage is a concerning consequence of the global demand for minerals such as nickel, cobalt and lithium. These territories are being sacrificed in the name of economic growth and the so-called energy transition, as governments and corporations prioritise short-term gains. To challenge this contradiction and fight for their rights, Indigenous Peoples' proposals are not merely technical fixes but holistic responses rooted in their traditional knowledge, territorial sovereignty, and cultural survival.

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Science and Indigenous Governance in the Face of Hydrocarbon Impacts:The Struggle to Remediate Lot 192

BY MARIO ZÚÑIGA LOSSIO FOR INDIGENOUS DEBATES

In parts of Peru long subjected to oil exploitation, extractive activities have inflicted such profound socio-ecological damage on Indigenous territories that it has become an unpayable debt, affecting not only the present but also future generations. A close examination of the benefits promoted by the energy sector shows that they bear little relation to the real impacts experienced by Indigenous Peoples. The legacy of this damage—and the complexities involved in addressing it—cannot be ignored when considering transitions from the oil-extractive model towards new energy systems grounded in justice and historical memory.

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The Clean Energy Smokescreen: Quebec’s Fossil Fuel Ban and the Mining Boom on Indigenous Lands

BY EARTHWORKS FOR INDIGENOUS DEBATES

The US Department of Defense's involvement in projects such as Lomiko and Strange Lake shows how clean energy narratives can align with military objectives. Minerals such as graphite, lithium, rare earths, and nickel are essential not only for electric vehicle batteries, but also for the military industry. Quebec has a decision to make: honor its commitments to Indigenous rights and climate justice, or quietly align itself with US military priorities.

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El Cerrejón, the Wayuu struggle and coal for Germany: the double standards of the energy transition

BY RENÉ KUPPE FOR INDIGENOUS DEBATES

In La Guajira, the Swiss transnational Glencore operates a mine that has diverted a stream in order to extract coal. Beyond the environmental damage to nearby communities, the operation has also affected access to drinking water and undermined their spiritual life. The situation has worsened since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine: the German government has turned to Colombian coal as an alternative to Russian gas. The Wayuu people’s struggle is a reminder that the energy transition cannot be fair if those who pay the highest price are ignored.

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Carbon Markets and Indigenous Peoples in Northeast India: A Critical Reflection

In recent years, carbon markets have emerged as one of the most celebrated tools in the global climate policy arena. Both voluntary and compliance carbon markets are promoted as efficient, techno-managerial solutions to the climate crisis. Governments, corporations, and financial institutions have embraced them, arguing that monetizing carbon sequestration through forests, soil, and renewable energy projects provides a win-win: reducing emissions while delivering much-needed finance to developing countries and communities. (Lederer, 2012; Kossoy & Guigon, 2012; Bumpus & Liverman, 2008; Lohmann, 2010)

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