Green gold rush on Indigenous land

Listen to the full podcast episode and subscribe on

Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple podcasts Listen on RSS

Imagine a picture-perfect future where clean energy projects have replaced damaging non-renewable energy sources. With many of the new green projects being built all over the world, we are slowly approaching this goal. However, while massive wind farms and solar panel parks are being built, there is a pressing issue to be addressed. What about the Indigenous people living in often remote areas where these projects take place? Too often, they are not considered or even asked for their opinion.

In this episode, we explore the crucial role of Indigenous communities in the green transition. From the Arctics to Australia, we examine how Indigenous voices must be heard to strike a balance between the pursuit of the “green gold rush” and the preservation of cultural heritage and human rights. Join us as we delve into the complexities of this critical issue and learn how we can all play a part in a just and sustainable energy transition.

This podcast comes from a Nordic Talks event arranged by The Nordic Policy Centre at The Australia Institute in Canberra, Australia.

“We say yes to the green transition, but not on the cost of biodiversity, human rights, and indigenous rights.”

Jenny Wik Karlsson, CEO and Senior Legal Adviser at Sámiid Riikkasearvi.

This podcast episode features the following speakers

Jenny Wik Karlsson (Sweden)

Jenny Wik Karlsson is CEO and Senior Legal Adviser at Sámiid Riikkasearvi, an association representing the Sami reindeer herding communities of northern Sweden. She has extensive experience of working with issues related to Indigenous peoples and industrial exploitation, both with policy and legal matters. Jenny mainly focuses on policy and strategies to uphold the Sami's rights, especially regarding land use and reindeer herding. She assists the reindeer herding communities with negotiations with companies and appeals.

Chris Croker (Australia)

Chris Croker is Managing Director of Impact Investment Partners and is on the steering committee of the First Nations Clean Energy Network. He is a descendant of the Luritja people of the Central Desert in Australia. Chris leads Impact Investment Partners, an organization that leverages capital from ethical investors to partner with Indigenous communities to purchase or upgrade essential services assets such as electricity. He has led several community renewable energy projects across the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Rod Campbell (Australia)

Rod Campbell is an economist working with the economics of fossil fuel industries. He has published numerous landmark reports and articles in peer-reviewed journals and has appeared as an expert witness in major court cases and planning processes. Some of Rod’s other research areas include the management of the Murray Darling Basin, the economic assessment of infrastructure projects, and the role of financial modeling in policy and planning processes.