It is crucial to question who has the authority to mandate renewable energy projects and who their beneficiaries are. In the energy field, power has remained, for the most part, in the hands of settler nations institutions and private energy companies. Although renewable energy resources are mostly located on Indigenous traditional territories, not all Indigenous communities benefit from the energy transition. The fact that Indigenous peoples are given only a limited voice or power over the transformation of their ancestral territories puts them in a particularly challenging position regarding their participation in the energy transition. Indeed, defending their interests is complex, due to the vagueness and ambiguity surrounding the question of Indigenous national sovereignty and self-determination in Australia and Canada.

This paper, A just energy transition for Indigenous peoples: From ideal deliberation to fairness in Canada and Australia (published 2024), by Fabienne Rioux-Gobeil and Annick Thomassin from the Australian National University, considers who benefits from energy projects and who bears the consequences.

Read the paper

Thanks for use of the photo Karsten Würth 

The First Nations Clean Energy Network recently participated in a workshop reviewing how Australia could achieve a more coherent energy transition. A number of recommendations came out of it.

This Just Transition Guide shares the stories of First Nations communities leading the way on renewable energy in the transition away from fossil fuels. The clean energy transition has opportunities and impacts that need to be understood so we don't replicate the legacy of harm perpetuated from the previous energy era. 

Read the Just Transition Guide

The Guide was produced by Sacred Earth Solar and Indigenous Climate Action, in partnership with Power to the People, RealWorld Media and the David Suzuki Foundation. 

Real world stories were contributed by communities in Turtle Island (Canada) including:

• Gull Bay First Nation
• Haida Communities of Old Masset and Skidegate
• Kanaka Bar Indian Band
• Kluane First Nation
• Lubicon Lake Band
• Mamalilikala First Nation
• Mi’gmaq Communities of Listuguj First Nation, Gespeg First Nation, and Gesgapegiag First Nation
• Namgis First Nation
• Nuxalk Nation
• shíshálh Nation
• Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation
• Snuneymuxw First Nation
• Squamish First Nation
• Taku River Tlingit Nation
• Teslin Tlingit Nation
• Tla-o-qui-aht Nation
• Tlowit’sis First Nation
• Tsleil Waututh Nation