New Report Reveals Deep Injustices

13 October 2025

A new report by CAN International exposes how the transition to renewable energy is systematically overlooking people’s needs and rights, as well as countries’ sovereignty.

The study, which analyses recent developments in 16 countries, finds that the current transition is failing to be just and equitable, prioritising profits over people, and de facto replicating the same old injustices of the fossil fuel industry.

Four rich countries, together with their corporations, are continuing to engage in extractivist practices: Canada and Australia (extracting transition minerals), Germany (pushing for a risky and unlikely ‘green’ hydrogen market) and Japan (extracting forests, under the claim of scaling up ‘renewable’ energy). China and the UAE follow suit.

Across the 16 countries analysed, 47% of the prospective renewable energy capacities would come from ‘giga’ projects (>1GW). The report exposes how these projects - among other export-oriented projects developed by and for foreign companies - pose significant risks for local communities and workers, and divert essential resources from needed domestic action.

Jacobo Ocharan, Head of Political Strategies at CAN International, said: ‘’The transition to renewables is being built on the same flawed foundation of extraction and exclusion that defined the fossil fuel era. A people-centered, equitable approach supported by strong public policies, international cooperation, and alternative ownership models is essential to ensure that the benefits of renewable energy are widely shared, and its risks minimised.’’

Janet Milongo, Energy Transition Senior Manager at CAN International, said: ‘’We must fundamentally shift course. This requires systemic change, and international and national policies that put people first and hold corporations and governments accountable. As documented in the report, successful alternatives already exist, such as the solar rooftop boom in Pakistan, the widespread adoption of ‘balcony solar’ kits in Germany, and a growing number of renewable energy projects led by Indigenous Peoples and communities in Canada and Australia. We need bold policies to urgently scale up these solutions, with justice at their core - ensuring that no one is left behind.”

With a series of upcoming multilateral moments (NDCs assessment, COP30, G20 summit), the report provides recommendations to governments and policymakers:

Establish a Just Transition Global Mechanism at COP30 to foster international cooperation around renewable energy and transition minerals.

Strengthen international and national policies to hold corporations accountable, mandate human rights due diligence, and community engagement.

Support community-led renewable energy and alternative models of ownership, and ensure that Indigenous Peoples, tenants, poorer and rural households are not left behind.

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