New Report Provides Framework for Responsible Investment in Indigenous-led Clean Energy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8th, 2026
Kanata, Turtle Island—As Canada considers the future of its energy sectors, a new report from Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) highlights Indigenous-led, clean and just energy initiatives across so-called Canada and introduces a framework through an Indigenous-centred lens.
Energy Sovereignty: An Indigenous Framework for Responsible Energy Investment aims to answer the question: what do energy projects grounded in Indigenous governance, laws, knowledge systems, and enduring relationships with the land, air and water look like?
The report introduces an “investment ready” framework for assessing the readiness of both established and emerging clean energy projects, with a particular focus on those led by, or developed in full partnership with, Indigenous Nations. Projects are evaluated across four key dimensions:
Level of Indigenous Participation and Leadership
Environmental Integrity and Impacts
Commitment to Living Beings and Human Rights
Readiness for External Investment and Return Potential
The framework is meant to offer energy investors a starting point to think more deeply about what investing in Indigenous clean energy means and could look like.
We believe that by centring the rights and leadership of Indigenous Nations in assessment processes, we may critically redefine what constitutes "investment readiness” within the clean energy sector as a whole–all while providing investors with a tool for evaluating projects that deliver both financial returns and measurable social and environmental impact.
In the long term, we hope that this report may lead us all towards energy-based economies that go beyond mere emissions reduction, towards strengthened community resilience, the upholding of human rights, and the generation of long-term environmental and economic benefits.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kikki Guerard: media@indigenousclimateaction.com
Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) is the only Indigenous-led climate justice organization in so-called Canada. Guided by a diverse group of Indigenous knowledge keepers, water protectors, and land defenders from communities and regions across the country, we believe that Indigenous Peoples’ rights and knowledge systems are critical to developing solutions to the climate crisis and achieving climate justice. We model our work and organizational structure on systems of free, prior and informed consent and self-determination. By providing communities with knowledge and resources, we can inspire a new generation of Indigenous climate leaders building solutions centered around our inherent rights and cultures.
