Organized by:

• Asia Indigenous Peoples Network on Extractive Industries and Energy

• Extraterritorial Obligation Watch Coalition

• Community Resources Centre Foundation

• EarthRights International

• The Mekong Butterfly

• International Rivers

• Accountability Counsel

• Fair Finance Thailand

• UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights

• International Accountability Project

• Verrha Research

• Alternative Law Collective

• Community Empowerment and Social Justice Network

• Darya-e-Swat Bachao Tehreek

Background

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The accelerating climate crisis has spurred investments for energy transition from critical minerals and rare earth mining in Indonesia and Myanmar to large-scale hydropower in Pakistan that often disregard ecological harms and human rights risks. Indigenous and frontline communities face threats to their livelihoods, land rights, and ecosystems. Transboundary pollution from Myanmar’s rare earth and gold mining severely impacts communities even across the border in Thailand. 

In such contexts, enforcing international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights is challenging, yet necessary to ensure corporate accountability. International financial institutions such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank financing energy transition often downplay or ignore significant human rights implications for the communities and environmental harms. Addressing these issues is critical to protecting vulnerable populations and ecosystems from exploitative renewable energy investments.

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Key Objectives

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The panel aims to: ​

• investigate the impacts of investments in the name of energy transition, such as critical mineral extraction, and hydropower on the lives of Indigenous and frontline communities, and the environment,

• examine the gaps between the policies and practices of financial institutions, investors and corporate buyers for the protection of affected communities and the environment, and 

• raise awareness about the urgency of addressing the transboundary environmental impacts of rare earth mining, including through supply chain tracking and due diligence to address those impacts.

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Guiding Questions

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• How can businesses can play a more strategic and principled role in humanitarian crises by integrating gender equality, local leadership, and community resilience into their preparedness and response efforts? 

• What enables private sector actors to respond quickly and effectively, and how inclusive, gender-responsive approaches enhance impact and sustainability?

• How can frameworks like the CBi principles and WEPs support more impactful private sector action, moving beyond ad hoc efforts and embed crisis response into business continuity and sustainability strategies?

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Format

• Panel

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Session Partners