Energy transitions at remote mines: The implications of transitioning to low-carbon electricity generation for Indigenous rights in northern Canada

Abstract

This article contributes to scholarly literature about energy transitions, extraction, and social justice with case studies of proposed low-carbon electricity generation for remote mines in Nunavut, Canada. It considers the implications of energy transitions at remote mines for the Indigenous rights of Inuit and Dene. On the one hand, low-carbon electricity generation can disturb wildlife habitat, negatively affecting the ability of Inuit and Dene to exercise their rights to harvest wildlife. On the other hand, Indigenous community and institutional opposition to some forms of low-carbon electricity generation raises questions about the ability of Indigenous peoples to provide or withhold their consent to land uses that may negatively affect their rights. In some cases, compromises between Indigenous communities and extractive industries will be possible. Compromise solutions are more likely to emerge when proponents and regulators consider ecological and Indigenous values when siting energy infrastructure, avoid siting infrastructure in critical wildlife habitat, consult Indigenous communities regarding the type of low carbon electricity generation, and agree to conservative and precautionary measures to mitigate the effects of electricity generation on wildlife.