As part of the business and human rights agenda being advanced by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and the Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME) for the mining, energy, and hydrocarbons sub-sectors, four documents have been developed. These include:
i) recommendations to advance the Guidelines for a Mining Sector Policy, led by the Office of Social and Environmental Affairs of the Ministry of Mines and Energy; and
ii) methodological tools for the Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME) to support companies in the sector in implementing human rights due diligence processes.
These documents incorporate the challenges and lessons learned not only by the State and its agencies, but also by industry associations and companies in the mining and energy sector, in their efforts to achieve sustainable development for the communities and environments where their operations are located.
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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.
