Clean energy and climate repair: How First Nations peoples will save the world

In parts of the world including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Central and South America, First Nations peoples own much of the land best-suited to climate repair efforts, including large-scale renewable energy, carbon farming and nature-based projects. In this presentation, we describe several of the important initiatives these communities are taking, ask whether and how the energy transition will improve First Nations’ peoples’ lives, and explain how we can all help First Nations peoples in their climate-repair efforts. About the organisers: Karrina Nolan is a descendant of the Yorta Yorta people of Victoria, Australia and the General Manager of Original Power, an organisation focussed on developing First Nations peoples’ capacity for self-determination in the context of economic development, climate change and clean energy. She is also a Churchill and Atlantic Fellow. Dr Lily O’Neill is a Senior Research Fellow with Melbourne Climate Futures, the University of Melbourne. Her research focus is how First Nations people are leading and benefiting from the clean energy transition and climate repair projects.