By Obiabin Onukwugha
Last week, Oilwatch International held a Retreat in Durban, South Africa, with the theme: “Beyond Colonialism and Extractivism: Energy Democracy and the Imperatives of a Just Transition.”
The event, which had about 25 environmental bodies and civil society organisations in attendance, was an opportunity for participants to mske critical observstions and key decisions to push for an end to fossil fuel extraction in Africa and other countries of the world where extractive activities have continued unabated.
The Retreat, which held on Friday, 23rd, and Saturday, 24th August 2024, critically analyzed current trends in extractivism and the systemic push for hydrogen amidst the energy transition discourse. The convening was an opportunity for participants to learn from struggles and enhance synergies to co-create pathways to a future that promotes life and halts fossil-driven dispossession, impoverishment, and accumulation.
Participants recalled the ‘yes’ vote, by the people of Yasuni to keep the oil in the soil, which is now becoming a global push against oil colonialism known as “Yasunise the world.” It was pointed at the gathering that the vote was a decision made in consultation with the people and the Indigenous nations of the world, which is a beacon of hope.
The retreat among other issues, highlighted the need to protect communities and territories in the global south from being used as testing grounds.
“There is an intentional push to promote all forms of false solutions and coercive collusion of the respective governments, and it is crucial to
resist these practices and promote ethical energy solutions. Neocolonial exploitation of natural resources in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, has led to the creation of economic systems
based on extractivism, with far-reaching negative global implications.
“The persistence of fossil fuel dependence, centralized energy systems, and inequitable access to energy resources continues to exacerbate social and environmental injustices. The global shift towards renewable energy presents a challenge. While it offers the potential to reduce carbon emissions and climate change, there is a risk that new forms of extractivism (e.g., mining for rare earth minerals and hyping hydrogen) could replicate old patterns of inequality and environmental harm. It is therefore imperative that we collaborate to ensure that this transition is just for peoples and nature,” it noted.
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At the end of the retreat, the body made recommendations, calling on the global north and oil companies to stop any further fossil fuel exploration and exploitation, saying no new fossil fuel infrastructure.
The recommendations were contained in a communiqué endorsed by the participating organizations viz; South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) – South Africa, Centre de Recherche et d’Action sur les Droits Économique Sociaux et Culturels (CRADESC) – Senegal, Centre pour la Justice Environnementale (CJE) – Togo, FishNet Alliance -Togo, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF)- Nigeria, KZN Subsistence Fisherfolks Forum – South Africa, FishNet Alliance, Mozambique, FishNet Alliance, Nigeria, Oilwatch Africa, Oilwatch International, Oil Change and International, Green Connection – South Africa.
Others are: The Young Environmentalist Network (TYEN) – Nigeria, Earth Life – South Africa, Oilwatch Ghana, Environmental Rights Action – Nigeria, JVE – Côte d’Ivoire, Peace Point Development Foundation- Nigeria, Centro para Desenvolvimento Alternativo- Mozambique, Accion Ecologica – Ecuador, FASE- Brazil, AGHAM- Philippines, Oilwatch Latin America, groundWork- South Africa and International Oil working groups (Allies)
It stated among others, opposed all forms of false solutions, including REDD+, carbon offsets and markets, geoengineering, deployment of GMOs, and other forms.
“The rights of communities and nature must be respected, including the right to say no to projects. The well-being of our people, communities and all forms of life must be put over profit.
“When considering energy access and transition, we must move beyond the paradigm of corporate capture and towards more equitable and just
frameworks.
“Gas and nuclear are neither clean nor renewable. The pattern of commodification and extraction of natural resources with minimal regard for local ecosystems or communities that lead to long-term socio-economic and environmental consequences must stop.
“Oilwatch views democratizing and decolonizing energy frameworks as keys to achieving equitable and socialized access to energy,
prioritization of the people’s needs, and the planet’s integrity. No to every form of apartheid and the war on the people of Palestine,” the communiqué read.
