Poor countries that are rich in natural resources have too often seen the well-being of their people and ecosystems deteriorate as a result of destructive, irresponsible resource extraction. This is commonly known as the “resource curse,” whereby foreign investors and local elites extract great wealth from poor countries while leaving behind a legacy of social inequality, political corruption, and ecological damage.
KAIROS works with our global partners to play our part in breaking this curse.
One cornerstone of sustainability is the right of communities to exercise free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) over developments that will affect their well-being, their enjoyment of human rights, and the integrity of local ecosystems. KAIROS partners are working to empower poor and marginalized populations in resource-rich countries to participate in decision-making that affects their lives. Our partners in the global South are opening up democratic space in their countries to debate the role of resource extraction in reducing poverty. They are challenging economic policies that promote foreign-owned resource extraction as the only path towards development. In some cases, they are advocating for stronger regulatory regimes to maximize fiscal and economic benefits to the local population, and hold companies responsible for cleaning up their environmental messes. In other cases, they are rejecting resource extraction and embracing alternative economic development paths such as sustainable agriculture and forestry, ecotourism and other activities. This movement to “keep the oil in the soil” and promote food sovereignty is emerging as a popular response to the triple crisis of hunger, poverty and climate change.
KAIROS monitors disappointing Canadian GHG emissions reporting
KAIROS continues to monitor Canada’s annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting required under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Environment Canada has just released the National Inventory Report 1990-2010: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada, which shows an overall 0.25% growth in emissions during the 2009-2010 period. While there was a 43% decline in coal-related emissions between 2005 and 2010, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers reports that there was a 14% growth in emissions from the tar sands sector between 2009 and 2010, with a 2% increase in the per barrel intensity of emissions. Efforts by provinces to reduce … [Read more...]