Panel debate: How can indigenous peoples’ rights be strengthened in renewable energy projects to ensure long-term sustainability?

Panel debate and presentations co-organized by IWGIA and University of Copenhagen, on November 4th, 2019.

Renewable energy is a crucial factor to achieve the 1.5 °C goal, as set out in the Paris Agreement, but how can we ensure that renewable energy projects include the indigenous peoples that often live in the areas where the projects are implemented?

Governments and private sector actors promote and implement renewable energy projects in developed and developing countries Renewable energy projects, such as windmills parks, are often realised on traditional lands and territories of indigenous peoples, and in many places, renewable energy projects have led to rights violations and displacement of indigenous peoples. Therefore, it is essential and timely to discuss how renewable energy projects should ensure and integrate a human-rights based approach to become truly sustainable long-term climate solutions to achieve both the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

Panelists:
-Laila Susanne Vars, EMRIP member, Sami and IWGIA board member
-Private sector representative (TBC)
-Representative from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (TBC)
-Cathal Doyle, IWGIA board member, Ph.D. in international law, expert on indigenous peoples’ rights, business and human rights

Read more here where there is also a link to Facebook event.