As part of the Integrated Sectoral Impact Assessment (EISI) on Human Rights in the Wind Energy Sector, carried out by CREER and the Danish Institute for Human Rights, we held a meeting with a seed group of social leaders—women and men—from La Guajira. The purpose was to share experiences, knowledge, and agendas regarding the arrival and development of the energy transition in the department.
During the session, we engaged in dialogue about the Wayuu people’s perspectives and worldview related to autonomous spaces for participation, prior consultation, territorial planning, the lack of understanding of their social organization by external actors, differing conceptions of timeframes for the implementation of energy projects, and the importance of including the voices of youth and women in decision-making spaces—particularly regarding wind energy projects. This discussion took place in the context of a social crisis and a rupture of the social fabric, which have impacted efforts to build trust and meaningful dialogue around what a just energy transition should look like in these territories.
The day concluded with a dialogue session involving the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights (OHCHR), currently on its official visit to Colombia. The visit aims to assess issues related to business and human rights and to identify initiatives, practices, challenges, and opportunities for implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and promoting responsible business conduct. In this space, the leaders we work with had the opportunity to share their perspectives on the matter and speak to the realities facing La Guajira in this regard.
We thank all the participants for this enriching exchange and look forward to continuing this work hand in hand with diverse actors in La Guajira.
La Primera Conferencia Internacional para la Transición más allá de los Combustibles Fósiles realizada en Santa Marta, dejó una conversación más realista sobre la transición energética.
The First International Conference for a Transition Beyond Fossil Fuels, held in Santa Marta, Colombia, resulted in a more pragmatic and realistic dialogue regarding the energy transition.
In a context where sustainable finance has primarily advanced along the environmental dimension, at CREER we make a clear call: There is no sustainable transition without human rights at the center of financial decision-making.
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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.
