Alliance for a Just Energy Transformation: Indigenous Peoples and Just Energy Transition
Throughout history, Indigenous Peoples have developed diverse knowledge systems and practices that balance human needs with the health of the natural world. Their ways of relating to land, water, and ecosystems demonstrate that societies can thrive while sustaining the resources on which future generations depend. These experiences highlight that it is possible to build ways of life rooted in respect, reciprocity, and long-term stewardship—accepting only what is offered, expressing gratitude, and giving back to sustain balance with nature.
For millennia, the Earth has generously provided us with renewable sources of energy: the wind, the sun, the tides, and geothermal heat. Yet instead of embracing these gifts, we have often turned to what lies hidden beneath the ground to meet our energy demands, and we are now suffering the consequences of climate change. Even now, as we develop the technology to harness nature’s renewable offerings, we continue to exploit polluting resources like fossil fuels — disrupting the delicate balance that sustains life on our planet.
The transition to renewable energy is both urgent and necessary—but it is not without risks. The mining of transition minerals and the deployment of large-scale renewable infrastructure can pose serious threats to Indigenous Peoples, whose deep cultural, spiritual, and economic ties to their territories make them particularly vulnerable to both environmental and social impacts. Without proper safeguards, the energy transition may risk reinforcing existing challenges related to social inclusion, land use, and ecological harm
