Energy Transition and Biodiversity: Safeguarding Andean Wetlands

To address climate change, stakeholders have been clamoring for an energy transition to shift away from fossil fuels, in the hopes of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. In this rush, however, other important issues can be overlooked, such as the impacts on biodiversity and on Indigenous communities affected by pressure for lithium mining, which is one of the ways through which an energy transition can be realized.

Laura Castillo, Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN), moderating this event, began by highlighting the urgency of understanding the importance of Andean Wetlands and the need for their protection against a corporate energy transition that fails to consider the region’s vulnerabilities.

Panelists began by discussing the importance of Andean Wetlands in relation the goals of COP 16 and concerns regarding lithium mining, which is promoted as integral for an energy transition by the global North.

Iber Sarapura, San Francisco de Alfarcito Community, shared the experiences of the Indigenous communities of Salinas Grandes, Argentina, where lithium mining in the salt flats have significantly affected their way of living. He noted that it is not the transition that they are against, but rather the sacrifice put upon the Indigenous communities who lack a voice in the race to “clean” energies.

Oscar Campanini, Centro de Documentación e Información Bolivia (CEDIB), elaborated on the impacts of lithium mining in Bolivia. He explained that the technical aspect of extraction results in more water evaporation in the areas that are already a desert, thus threatening the balance of a very delicate and vulnerable underground hydrological system. He suggested that mechanisms to strengthen the rights of Indigenous Peoples is vital and that consultations with people living around the wetlands should be established.

Ricardo Frez, ONG Defensa Ambiental (Chile), talked about the deeply intertwined geological and environmental conditions that regulate wetlands, and how this relates to the social and environmental impacts of lithium mining in Chile. He shared the case of the Atacama salt flats, which have been sinking steadily due to such activities.

Panelists also addressed the question on what should be done to protect the integrity of Andean Wetlands and ensure respect for the rights of local Indigenous communities that protect and preserve the wetlands by maintaining ecological balance.

Marcos Orellana, Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, shared that pressures put on Indigenous communities in the name of energy transition pose a serious threat to their rights. He noted that extractive industries may result in systematic violation of rights of Indigenous Peoples, especially when safeguards, such as Free and Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), are not met.

Yeny Rodriguez, Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA), talked about the lithium-related impacts and pressures that countries in the Global North, particularly those in the EU, place on territories in the Andean Wetlands. She noted that there is a need for a radical transformation in particular to lithium batteries and transportation, as 90% are used for private, not public, transportation. She said that concerns for safeguarding the ecosystem are not being properly reflected in lithium mining. She warned against certification systems, saying that they do not guarantee compliance with international standards.

Marcelino Higueras, South America Regional Office, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), closed the event, noting that:

• technical, economic and human aspects should be considered;
• connecting with the different guiding principles of different companies is vital;
• due diligence is needed overcome hurdles and obstacles in vindicating human rights and the rights of Indigenous Peoples; and
• focus must be given to the fact that Indigenous Peoples are protectors and guardians of biodiversity.

He observed that the right to consultation is being reduced to a mere administrative process in Latin America, and thus urged dialogue on how to finally realize the Indigenous People’s right to FPIC.

Organizer: Alianza por los Humedales Andinos/Andean Wetlands Alliance

Contacts:
Stephanie Weiss, sweiss@aida-americas.org
Anna Miller, amiller@aida-americas.org

For more information:
https://aida-americas.org/en/alliance-andean-wetlands
https://humedalesandinos.org/
https://www.cbd.int/side-events/6494