The hidden cost of the green transition's mineral rush | Galina Angarova

The Importance of Indigenous Rights in the Green Economy

Indigenous communities play a critical role in managing lands that contain many of the transition minerals necessary for environmentally friendly technologies. As the demand for minerals like nickel and lithium increases, it poses a significant threat to these communities, whose rights and livelihoods are often overlooked. A pivotal moment highlighted involves a catastrophic diesel spill by a mining company that devastated local ecosystems relied upon by Indigenous peoples. This incident sparked a campaign that led to Tesla, an influential player in the electric vehicle market, to adopt an indigenous peoples policy ensuring that their suppliers respect Indigenous rights.