The rush for clean-energy minerals risks fuelling conflict in the Sahel – and that has to be on the climate agenda

Mohamadou Fadel DiopClimate Change, Conflict, Events

Mohamadou Fadel Diop on why climate negotiations such as the upcoming COP28 must pay attention to how the energy transition may drive further conflict and instability in West and Central Africa.

Human rights defenders in the crosshairs

Caroline BrodeurInfluencing, Private sector, Rights

Activists are losing their lives in defence of human rights and the environment. Caroline Brodeur introduces a new Oxfam briefing that spells out how the private sector can and must become part of the solution.

‘They offered me nothing for what they had destroyed’: how the scramble for clean-energy minerals is hurting African communities

Dailes JudgeClimate Change, Indigenous People, Natural Resources

Today’s mining boom may not be driven by the overt colonialist motives of the past – but the parallels are there, say Dailes Judge and Veronica Zano of Oxfam in Africa.

What will it take to stop the killing of land rights activists?

Scott SellwoodInequality, Land rights

Mining companies and governments need to understand and respect the right to free, prior, and informed consent. The lives of land rights activists are on the line. New research from an Oxfam partner provides a compelling starting point for defending community consent in Southern Africa. Last year, at least 207 land and environmental activists across 22 countries were reportedly killed for …

No environmental justice without gender justice

Caroline SweetmanGender, Gender & Development Journal, General, Natural Resources

Gender equality and women’s rights are core to attaining sustainable, just human development. Editor, Caroline Sweetman, introduces the natural resource justice issue of the Gender & Development journal. 2017 is on course to be the deadliest year yet for environmental activism: 150 women and men have so far been murdered for defending natural resources and the communities who depend on …

Renewed violence around Las Bambas mining project: Will we learn from past mistakes?

Miguel LevanoGovernance, Land rights

Copper mining in Las Bambas, Peru has sparked new violence as the communities surrounding the mine are bypassed again by the Peruvian government and mining company, MMG, on decisions that greatly affect their lives. n October 14, 42 year old Quintino Cereceda was killed during a police operation near the Las Bambas copper mine in Peru. This tragic event follows …