We recognize that coastal environments—both riverine and marine—are unique socio-ecological systems, where the relationship between people and the environment is mediated by water. These systems are particularly vulnerable to multiple transitions that can have significant impacts on human rights. Such transitions include climate change adaptation, the shift to renewable energy sources such as offshore wind, and territorial changes brought about by new economic activities, among others.
At CREER, we emphasize the importance of analyzing how land use and territory are organized around water, recognizing that territorial planning and water resource management are deeply interconnected. This line of work focuses on understanding and analyzing how these transitions and territorial dynamics affect water availability and quality, the health of coastal ecosystems, and the rights of local communities. We aim to facilitate the creation of a multi-stakeholder network to integrate a human rights perspective into economic activities taking place along coasts, islands, and in the high seas.
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Climate change is causing rising sea levels, impacting coastal areas around the world. In Latin America and the Caribbean, over
of the population lives in coastal zones.
Source: Naciones Unidas.
Todos los derechos reservados | Desarrollado por CREER 2024 |
Report from the meeting with workers and trade unions
Testimony from workers and trade unions
The rapid expansion of critical minerals for the energy transition and other strategic industries (agriculture, defense, technology) presents us with a paradox: the decarbonization of the planet depends on an intensification of mining activity. For CREER, this rapid expansion carries critical risks regarding human rights, local economic dynamics, and ecosystem balance. Our work focuses on analyzing these dilemmas through the lens of a just transition, promoting governance frameworks that mitigate negative impacts and ensure that the mining of “minerals for the future” is carried out under rigorous standards of sustainability, equity, and respect for fundamental rights, through dialogue among different stakeholders.
We analyze the governance and sustainability challenges that arise in the implementation of decentralized generation models. Our work focuses on researching how local associative structures interact with regulatory frameworks and human rights standards. Through applied research, we assess the risks of rent capture, internal decision-making conflicts, and the conditions necessary for these self-management schemes to guarantee equitable and transparent participation in the territory.
With a focus on responsible land management and respect for local livelihoods, at CREER we apply our technical expertise in the photovoltaic sector to promote a solar transition with social integrity. Through the analysis of rural environments, the strengthening of local governance, and the design of participation mechanisms, we seek to ensure that large-scale deployment in Latin America not only contributes to the energy mix, but also strengthens the social fabric. Our purpose is to lead due diligence models that ensure solar infrastructure coexists with food security, strategic ecosystems, and the productive vocations of each community.
