Why Indigenous Rights Matter
Indigenous Peoples have continuously faced rights violations and dispossession of their lands and resources over centuries. Despite local-to-global efforts to strengthen the rights of Indigenous communities, they are still disproportionately impacted by large-scale extractive projects and the production of everyday commodities. Today, Indigenous territories contain a significant portion of the world’s untapped mineral wealth as well as solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation. The insufficient recognition of Indigenous rights, and the push to increase mineral production to feed the energy transition—or offset existing emissions—present all the ingredients for unjust and conflictive outcomes. Learn more about our work to uphold Indigenous rights.
Key Publications
Impacts of the Green Minerals Boom on Indigenous Rights (2023)
Explores how critical mineral extraction impacts Indigenous communities and what policy safeguards are needed.
Indigenous Rights and the Green Energy Boom (2023)
A breakdown of challenges and legal frameworks surrounding Indigenous participation in the energy transition.
THE GREEN MINERALS BOOM: IMPACTS ON OUR COMMUNITIES, AND INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
Calls for governments to uphold treaties and FPIC in mineral licensing and development processes.
Project Highlights
Path to Peace and Development
Focuses on peacebuilding and Indigenous empowerment in mining-affected regions.
Mining Policy Framework Assessment: Ecuador
Ecuador’s assessment evaluates the country's mining laws and policies against IGF’s framework across six key areas—laws, financial and socio-economic benefits, environmental management, artisanal mining, and post-mining transition—identifying both strengths and areas needing improvement
