The challenge: A clean energy transition is urgently needed to reduce emissions and mitigate the worsening climate crisis. However, if not done equitably, this transition could deepen inequalities and create new injustices, especially for communities in the Global South. Wealthiest countries, responsible for most emissions, must rapidly cut CO₂ and shift investments from fossil fuels to green alternatives. Polluting countries, however, increasingly rely on land- and resource-intensive solutions – like offsets, biofuels, and mineral extraction in poorer countries – to meet net-zero targets. This threatens Indigenous rights, biodiversity, and livelihoods. For example, 54% of critical minerals for clean energy are located near Indigenous lands, putting communities at risk of land grabs, water depletion, pollution and biodiversity loss. Meanwhile, fossil fuel companies keep expanding, while Global South countries face pressure to transition without sufficient support.
Our solution: Our climate justice programming aims to ensure a Just Energy Transition (JET) that is equitable, rights-based, and inclusive, which upholds justice and respects communities’ rights while ensuring an equitable distribution of costs and benefits of the transition. We envision a future where energy systems are decarbonized, democratized – anchored in justice, equity, gender equality and human rights.
An example of this is the global push to Make Polluters Pay and supporting activists like Pavel from Peru. The Peruvian Amazon has been exploited for rubber, wood, oil, gas, gold and now for critical minerals needed for the energy transition. Those that are paying the price for energy demand in the global north are people from communities in the Amazon. A4CJ supports activists like Pavel to stand up for their rights, while holding polluters accountable for a just energy transition.
The energy transition requires shifting public finance from fossil fuels to clean energy worldwide. Multilateral development banks have a key role in ensuring renewable investments meet high human rights, social, and environmental standards through strong safeguards and community consultation. The Banking on Renewables campaign, led by Recourse and over 50 organizations, urges MDBs to support renewables that benefit people and the planet, leading to localized efforts, such as Trend Asia in Indonesia and other regional campaigns, such as Watts Up Africa.
In 2024, Recourse and partners shared community testimonies on mineral extraction with the UN Secretary-General’s Panel Critical Energy Transition Minerals, helping shape strong global principles for transition minerals.