Sustainability and unsustainable practices : Exploring the energy transitions' implications on human rights

In the light of sustainable development, dilemmas can occur where the three dimensions of sustainability, the social, ecological and economical, come into conflict. This thesis explores the tension between social and ecological sustainability, specifically regarding Indigenous rights being threatened by renewable energy extraction projects. These projects aim for a low-carbon economy and a fossil-free future which would support ecological sustainability. However, the mining developments for these projects often operate on Indigenous traditional lands where the Indigenous communities have their cultural and spiritual identities. Through a Human Rights-Based Approach and just transition theory, this thesis examines how power asymmetries, lack of consultation and limited participation in decision-making processes threaten Indigenous First Nations rights. The material is examined through a content analysis and consists of governmental documents and NGO reports from MiningWatch Canada. The content analysis is conducted using a coding scheme in which the terms ´sustainable development´, ´sustainability´, ´human rights´, ´environmental´ and ´culture´ are extracted and analysed. Their implicit or explicit use, or their absence is highlighted to evaluate the extent to which sustainability and Indigenous rights are prioritized in the chosen governmental documents and NGO reports. The study concludes that although Indigenous peoples and rights are mentioned in both governmental documents and NGO reports, their inclusion in decision-making processes is often underwhelming. Mining developments continue to pose significant threats to First Nations communities, even though there are mechanisms intended to protect them, such as Environmental Assessments and Impact Benefit Agreements. First Nations communities are often excluded from decision-making processes and there is a lack of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) in mining developments.