Wind and solar energy are essential for the world to reach net zero global emissions in accordance with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change targets. The potential for wind and solar energy to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) around the world is also without question. Rights-respecting wind and solar projects can also contribute to equitable rural development and bolster community livelihoods. The global installed capacity of renewable energy has more than doubled in the last ten years, with wind and solar energy leading this growth. Yet amidst this rapid expansion there have been increasing allegations and lawsuits against wind and solar companies for their involvement in adverse human rights impacts (see Box 1), particularly with respect to the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and human rights defenders. A key driver has been a lack of robust human rights programs that address community-related human rights impacts

Respecting the human rights of communities: A business guide for commercial wind and solar project deployment

Resource Key: HRJMYUBR

Document Type: Report

Creator:

Author:

  • Sarah Dolton-Zborowski
  • Sam Szoke-Burke

Creators Name: {mb_resource_zotero_creatorsname}

Place: New York

Institution: Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment

Date: March 2022

Language:

Wind and solar energy are essential for the world to reach net zero global emissions in accordance with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change targets. The potential for wind and solar energy to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) around the world is also without question. Rights-respecting wind and solar projects can also contribute to equitable rural development and bolster community livelihoods. The global installed capacity of renewable energy has more than doubled in the last ten years, with wind and solar energy leading this growth. Yet amidst this rapid expansion there have been increasing allegations and lawsuits against wind and solar companies for their involvement in adverse human rights impacts (see Box 1), particularly with respect to the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and human rights defenders. A key driver has been a lack of robust human rights programs that address community-related human rights impacts

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