Fostering Dialogue Among Stakeholders to Advance a Just Energy Transition

Bangkok, 19 September 2025 — The Foundation for International Human Rights Reporting Standards (FIHRRST) participated in the United Nations Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum 2025, which carried the theme “Anchoring Progress and Strengthening Regional Leadership on Human Rights through Crisis.” On this occasion, FIHRRST hosted a Collaborating Partner Session on “Safeguarding Human Rights in the Energy Transition.”

The session brought together key experts and practitioners: Ratih Ananda Putri, FIHRRST Programme Coordinator – Business and Human Rights; Poom Siraprapasiri, ERM Corporate Sustainability & Climate Change Consultant; Robeliza "Robie" Halip, Right Energy Partnership with Indigenous Peoples Executive Director; andJunghoon Park, LRQA Sustainability Consultant, who served as moderator.

The session also featured a case study presented by Mr. Zung Ting, Technical Advisor at Htoi Gender Development Foundation, who shared insights from Kachin civil society addressing the impacts of heavy rare earth element (HREE) mining in Kachin State.

Discussions mainly focused on how Indigenous community voices and responsible business practices can ensure that rights are protected during the energy transition. Topics included the hidden human rights costs of greener supply chains, land rights and consent in renewable projects, risks of exploitation in carbon offsetting, and declining workplace quality in transition sectors.

As an Indigenous Kachin (Lachid) and an environmental advocate, Zung Ting explained how the green energy transition drives structural demand. However, irresponsible mining exploration in Kachin State has triggered a resource war, leading to environmental destruction, natural disasters, threats to food security, gender-based exploitation, and conflicts between local residents and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

Based on what happened in Kachin, the speakers and participants connected these lessons to minimizing the negative effects of a just transition within the region, guiding the discussion toward what approaches have proven effective, what succeeds in one context but fails in another, which approaches could work better, and the key factors that drive either success or failure.

During the question-and-answer session, the speakers were asked to share their perspectives on how companies should balance human rights with financial gains. Ratih Ananda Putri said, “Before companies take actions that could cause irreparable harm—whether to the company or its stakeholders—they should undertake human rights due diligence. Human rights due diligence must not be a checkbox exercise; it should be carried out properly through meaningful consultation with rights holders.”  Based on her answer, Ratih emphasized that early and genuine human rights due diligence is fundamental to ensuring that business decisions avoid harm, uphold accountability, and enable a just energy transition.