June 5, 2023
•News
Past Event
February 8, 2023
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs hosted a panel of experts for a discussion about opportunities and risks for indigenous communities in the North American energy transition.
According to the US Department of Energy, wind resources on US tribal lands could meet up to 32% of US electricity needs. Similarly, according to MSCI, 79% of US lithium reserves are located within 35 miles of an Indian reservation. These data highlight the critical role that indigenous peoples and lands will play in the transition to a low carbon economy–in the US and globally.
The panel discussed the Biden administration’s efforts to strengthen indigenous consultation and environmental justice around natural resources and renewable energy development with US native communities. They also explored how Canadian indigenous leaders are developing equity-based partnerships to develop renewable energy and critical minerals projects under the principles of Free Prior and Informed Consent–and whether such partnerships can meet the needs of indigenous groups in the US as well as ESG-focused investors and project developers.
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