Few sectors have contributed more to the twin crises of global inequality and climate change than the oil, gas, and mining industries. Yet, despite a looming climate emergency and fresh concerns about the post-COVID economy, the pressure to extract oil, gas, and minerals remains higher than ever.
Too often communities that lose land and suffer the pollution and other negative effects of mines and pipelines seldom enjoy their benefits. Women bear a disproportionate burden of these negative effects, including the disruption of family and social life, increased risks to health and safety (especially in terms of domestic and sexual violence), and increased work in caring for family members made ill by pollution.
In fighting for natural resource justice, and addressing the reasons why resource rich countries are poor, Oxfam helps organizations in communities affected by oil, gas, and mining industries to:
- defend their right to decide whether, and under what conditions, projects can go forward on their lands.
- shine a light on the links between natural resources and corruption, how governments spend oil, gas, and mining revenues, and if the communities bearing the costs get any benefits from them.
- advocate for the environment, defend the rights of those speaking out, including women and other vulnerable people.
- propose better laws and policies that respect the rights of people, the community, and the environment, and
- advocate for countries to shift away from fossil fuels to limit global warming.
What are the consequences of natural resources exploitation?
$5.9 trillion
The cost of all direct and indirect subsidies going to the fossil fuel industry, globally.
340
Attacks on human rights defenders in 2019.
25%
Percentage of land in the world under the care and custodianship of the world’s Indigenous Peoples.