Few sectors have contributed more to the twin crises of global inequality and climate change than oil, gas, and mining. Yet, the pressure to extract more natural resources remains greater than ever, especially as countries look to exploit minerals central to the energy transition and green economy.
Frontline communities (adjacent to mines and pipelines) rarely benefit from these projects, while facing land loss, pollution, environmental destruction, and increased human rights violations. Women bear a disproportionate burden of these negative effects, ranging from family and social disruption to increased sexual and domestic violence.
In fighting for natural resource justice, and addressing the reasons why resource-rich countries are often poor, Oxfam helps communities affected by oil, gas, and mining 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 government and company 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?
$7 trillion
The cost of all direct and indirect subsidies going to the fossil fuel industry, globally.
630+
Attacks against human rights and environmental defenders raising concerns about business-related harms in 2023.
54%
Percentage of projects extracting clean-energy minerals that overlap with Indigenous lands.