Renewable energy and Indigenous rights: a path to exploitation or empowerment?

The necessity to mitigate climate change has driven states to set ambitious targets for greenhouse gas reduction and increase investment in renewable energy (RE). However, the transition to a low-carbon economy comes with costs, which are largely born by vulnerable groups, including Indigenous Peoples. The development of RE requires the extraction of essential materials and vast territories to build large-scale facilities, which are frequently located on or near indigenous lands. Exclusion from decision-making and poor project management can lead to significant environmental and social harms for these communities. Conversely, when Indigenous communities are actively involved, RE projects can provide substantial economic, social, and environmental benefits. In Canada, community ownership models are empowering Indigenous groups to assert their rights over lands and resources while taking a leading role in the renewable energy sector. This thesis explores whether and how Indigenous rights can be safeguarded within renewable energy development. By examining both the challenges and opportunities presented by RE projects on Indigenous lands, the research finds that meaningful community involvement, adherence to international protection standards, and proactive measures to mitigate adverse impacts can support the protection of Indigenous rights. A focus on the Canadian context reveals how these characteristics are most prevalent in community ownership models, representing the most promising pathway for enhancing Indigenous empowerment in the renewable energy sector.