Mitigating human rights violations in Africa’s green energy sector
A Just Energy Transition has two main components. The first is the transition from predominantly fossil fuel-based energy sources to renewable energy. The second component is centring the “just” in energy transitions.
This has not been prioritised in decision-making processes and the implementation of energy transition policies and initiatives in Africa. If this is not done, within the transition, new projects coming onboard can and will contribute to human rights abuses and environmental challenges. Indigenous peoples and local communities are already facing the self-same or similar negative impacts and human rights violations to those experienced by fossil fuel- and extractive-affected communities.
Justice requires us to centre human and environmental rights in the Just Energy Transition. It is important to learn from the past. The following case studies show where violations of human rights are happening as a result of “green” energy projects and programmes in Africa.
