This original article was submitted by the Indigenous Peoples Caucus for the ECO Newsletter, November 12, 2026.
Electrification is a buzzing issue at COP31, and shockingly the global pledge fails to include explicit reference to Indigenous Peoples’ or phasing out fossil fuels.
Electrification pledges are empty without meaningfully contributing to the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal by transitioning away from fossil fuels at the source, rather than shifting their use to electricity generation. It must also advance energy justice by recognizing Indigenous Peoples as rights holders, decision-makers, owners and partners. Standards set last year in Paragraph 12(i) of Decision 2/CMA.7 recognize that all just transition pathways should respect and promote Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
Indigenous Peoples of the seven socio-cultural regions urge Parties to carry this recognition into practice in the 35-by-35 initiative. By including an explicit commitment to respect and promote Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the pledge’s text. Including rights to Self-determination and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), throughout implementation, from mineral supply chains to energy infrastructure; and ensuring our effective participation in decision-making and accountability mechanisms.
The right to FPIC gives Indigenous Peoples the right to say yes, no, or yes with conditions
Why is this important? Accelerated electrification has significant implications for our lands, territories, waters and resources, from mineral extraction, damming of our rivers and energy infrastructure. Accelerating mineral demand and hydro development threaten Indigenous territories, displacing our communities and disrupting rivers, food systems, cultures and livelihoods. A global study found 54% of transition minerals mining takes place on or near Indigenous Peoples’ lands.
Indigenous Peoples will face continued land grabbing, forced displacements, militarization, intimidation and criminalization of Indigenous defenders associated with mining of transition minerals and energy infrastructure; a lack of recognition or funding for Indigenous-led sustainable energy projects; and ultimately Indigenous communities will continue to be excluded from access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
We need to ensure Indigenous Peoples’ have access and resources to meaningful participation to review collective progress, including how rights are respected throughout implementation; recognition of Indigenous owned renewable energy as a core pathway; and ensure accountability and access to remedy for human rights violations when electrification infringes on our rights.
This new ambition to accelerate electrification must be matched by an equally strong commitment to respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights. We need concrete next steps to integrate Indigenous Peoples rights into the pledge and its implementation, financing and accountability mechanisms. Nothing about us without us.
