The G20 meeting in Bali will receive a statement from the Sulawesi Alliance, a group of environmental and human rights organizations working at the local level, on Indonesia’s destructive nickel production for energy transition. They demand that world powers stop investing in the mining sector, specifically nickel mining. Nickel is one of the components present in electric batteries.
In the high-level political context of the G20, a group of Indonesian organizations came to Bali to deliver a very clear message: “Save the rainforests and people of Sulawesi: stop funding and investing in Indonesia’s nickel mines and smelters and the dirty power plants that sustain them. Electric vehicles are a false solution to climate change🇧🇷
The impact of nickel mining
In their testimony, the group clearly exposes the situation on their island: deforestation, pollution that worsens with the rains, bad rice harvests, water poisoning, destruction of mangroves, differential impacts on women.
In summary, the G20 (1) is a multilateral forum that brings together the main economies several times a year to initially address the main geopolitical and economic challenges and currently other adversities. Between the 15th and 16th of November, it will take place on the emblematic island of Bali, in Indonesia (2). It is normal for attention to fall on the chosen location, and on the leaders displaced to the location.
Moreover, this week in Bali, the Russian war in Ukraine will also be at the center of the debates. Indonesian President Joko Widodo, however, wants Bali to be seen as a forum for dialogue where many issues will be discussed.
Digital transformation and energy transition
One of the points under debate will be the digital transformation and energy transition, a theme for which cooperation between the different world and regional powers, between more and less developed countries, between partners and rivals and even with enemies is pursued. Such is its importance.
Therefore, the Sulawesi Alliance believes that at this G20 meeting, the Indonesian government will offer the nickel contained in Indonesia’s rainforests to developed countries in a kind of auction to the highest bidder. Incidentally, Elon Musk, as a promoter of the manufacture of electric cars, was invited and participates virtually (3) in the activities of the G20 where he will use his power to try to obtain Indonesian nickel.
The importance of the statement
As shown, in this context, the Sulawesi Alliance statement is extremely important, highlighting the serious impact that nickel mining is already having for the energy transition.
In short, it highlights the importance of preserving tropical forests, the ocean and the lives of peasant families and fishermen whose livelihoods depend on their integrity. 🇧🇷Indonesian government policies often do not reflect the will of the peoplesays the Declaration.
To continue, “Investments and financing by the Indonesian nickel industry further reinforce the pace of rainforest destruction, contributing to increasingly severe climate changesays Amien Muhammad of the Sulawesi Alliance.
For your part, “Affected communities around the world have a very different message that the energy transition is salvation. The case of Indonesia shows that the exploitation of raw materials is so intense that even the important Indonesian rainforests are in great danger. This should not be hidden in the debates and plans that seek to promote all this massive exploration of metals in the world.“, says Marianne Klute, director of Salva la Selva in Germany and specialist in Indonesia.
see statement in pdf format🇧🇷
Grades:
(1) The G20 was created in 1999 and is formed by Germany, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, USA, Mexico, Russia, United Kingdom , South Africa, Turkey and the European Union.
(2) The Indonesian Presidency runs from December 1, 2021 to the end of 2022
(3) Elon Musk at the G20 https://youtu.be/oTiGLiynwgs