Business & Human Rights Resource Centre’s Post

The expansion of the extractive industry (extensive exploration into virgin territories and extraction)to meet the burgeoning demand for transition minerals and metals is seriously threatening peace and human security in producing communities. The absence of critical minerals policies, policies and legislations; desperation for investments by natural resource-rich countries leading to lowering of economic, environmental and social standards; the location of critical minerals among others contribute to producing communities’ vulnerabilities. A blind eye to requirements for responsible sourcing, due diligence, respect of human and indigenous rights rights are suppressed. Involuntary displacements, environmental degradation, conflicts over means of production (land, water and forests), abuse of labor rights ( child labor) health risks, biodiversity loss, loss of livelihoods, corruption and poor service delivery are all compromising human security (freedom from fear, want and dignity. These are currently happening in DRC, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe were critical mineral extraction projects are at various stages of development. Such negative consequences stand in the way of peaceful, equitable and “just” transition. This was the summary of my presentation entitled “Increased critical mineral extraction in the energy transition era: Why human security should a concern for producing communities” at the Third International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding. Here is a link to our panel discussion: https://lnkd.in/dppnyBAG

There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to a Just Transition away from fossil fuel extraction and usage, with Northern perspectives too often dominating social research and international policy. For the Global South, matters such as informal labour force, land rights, and national resources must be considered. SLR’s International Environmental and Social Impact Assessment experts have been working with clients to help them understand and implement a Just Transition. Here they share a snippet of their insight into the five principles required for this to succeed. Click through to learn more. To speak to us about supporting a Just Transition, get in touch – https://lnkd.in/ej_ZNpQN #MakingSustainabilityHappen #JustTransition

Here it is! For all the people who have been asking for an update on the #justtransition presentation Dr Vidette Bester and I gave at the #IAIA24 Conference - We have summarised 5 Key Principles to a Just Transition (although we could have squeezed in many more). Let us know about your experience and the key principles you have looked at when navigating the journey to a Just Transition.

The Global North's resource consumption needs change. In these documents, #PowerShift, with AEER and Alyansa Tigil Mina, highlights Global South perspectives, linking environmental protection with global justice for a more inclusive debate.  https://lnkd.in/eNQvac8C

It was a privilege to participate in the Side Event: "Youth Climate Action for Peace: Disarmament in the Environmental Rights Agenda" during the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2024 The meeting focused on Youth Climate Action for Peace, specifically addressing the importance of disarmament in the environmental rights agenda. This discussion included insights from UNDP on the link between disarmament and environmental sustainability, panel discussion on integrating disarmament into climate action strategies, presentations on the intersection of disarmament, environmental protection, and peace building and discussion on the impact of nuclear waste on marine ecosystems and conflicts on the environment in Africa. Action items were outlined for moderators and panelists to provide further insights and commitments for advocacy and action. #climateaction, #disarmament, #peacebuiding, #Youthengagement, #Nuclearwaste, #environmental, #sustainability

BEYOND BULLETS: THE HIDDEN ENVIRONMENTAL TOLL OF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS (SALW) IN CONFLICT ZONES As we reflect on the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, observed on November 6th, it’s essential to recognise the ongoing, continuous work needed to address the broader impact of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) on the environment. SALW fuel not only human insecurity but also environmental degradation in conflict zones, from deforestation to water pollution and the decline of biodiversity. Such consequences, while often unseen, undermine ecosystems critical for communities' resilience and long-term recovery. Protecting the environment from the impacts of conflict requires attention far beyond just November 6th - it’s an ongoing commitment. Parliamentarians, as key decision-makers, play a pivotal role in addressing the environmental toll of SALW. By promoting legislation and policies that regulate arms flows and raise awareness about their ecological impact, parliamentarians can drive meaningful change. The Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons work with parliamentarians worldwide to contribute to more peaceful and sustainably developed societies, including solutions that protect both people and the planet. Through strengthened international cooperation and the dedicated work of parliamentarians, overlooked environmental costs of SALW can be addressed as part of the global work toward a more sustainable future for all. For more information, visit the United Nations’s resource here: https://lnkd.in/dWRM67R

Global resource overconsumption is out of control, and Europe is a major culprit. Yesterday's EU Environmental council finally acknowledged the lack of policies on the bloc's unsustainable resource use. But the Strategic Agenda is still set to ignore it. We need EU leaders to walk the talk and integrate #ResourceReduction into their entire agenda! 👉 https://lnkd.in/eWfFx3gf

📢Press Release Alert📢 Over 70 CSOs including  NGOs, climate justice networks, social justice movements, and Indigenous Peoples groups from across the world express deep concerns about the growing number of open air and water marine geoengineering experiments in defiance of international agreements. These are unproven, risky, and a dangerous distraction from real #climateaction. They also bring new risks to the lives and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples, traditional communities and fisherfolk who rely on marine and coastal ecosystem. As we head to climate negotiations at #SB60 it’s time governments step up and take responsibility to prevent such experiments, uphold international regulations, protect marine ecosystems and dependent communities, and prioritize real climate solutions like providing climate finance and phasing out #fossilfuels while supporting socially and ecologically sustainable alternatives that work for people and communities.  #NoGeoengineering #NoFalseSolutions #DangerousDistractions #ClimateJustice Read our press release to know more: https://lnkd.in/gbJ_ec-4 Geoengineering Monitor Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) Climate Action Network International OceanCare Third World Network Covering Climate Now Climate Home News The Third Pole Mongabay

Impressive line-up of organisations (including Seas At Risk ) that stand up against marine geo-engineering. Techno-fixes like these are false solutions & entail huge risks. Slashing emissions and restoring nature - on land and in the Ocean - those are the most powerful solutions to climate change!

Green and enviable: How to deliver net zero and a more competitive EU With the Nature Restoration Law greenlit just as the political cycle ends, the stage is set for heightened biodiversity protection in the next cycle. The report presents 30 policy recommendations across seven thematic chapters, addressing various aspects of the European Green Deal. These provide a comprehensive roadmap for policymakers, offering insights and guidance for the 2024–2029 political cycle.  Dive into our fresh report on the future of the #EUgreendeal https://lnkd.in/ePBpiBUX #NRL #Envi