Climate Justice Statement

Solar Citizens acknowledges the long-standing and continuing leadership of First Nations peoples in caring for and protecting country and fighting for a safe climate.

The shift to 100% renewable energy and clean transport must be just and community-led, and must not repeat the injustices of the fossil fuel industry, which have disproportionately affected First Nations peoples through climate impacts, environmental and cultural damage, displacement and violence.

Our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander solidarity

In solidarity with and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Solar Citizens commits to building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and engaging and working respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to uphold climate justice. We act in accordance with and protect the rights of First Peoples outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The following actions are the next steps in our journey towards solidarity. We commit to undertake these actions in good faith, allocating time and resources to progress work towards these outcomes.

Solar Citizens will

Apply the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent to any campaign planning decision affecting the protection or management of Country or its natural values/ resources.
Be respectful, act in accordance with and protect the rights of First Peoples outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Follow principles of respectful engagement based on the advice of Traditional Custodians from around the country.
Pay for the advice and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Support and resource First Nations campaigns and centre First Nations voices.
Continue to research, educate ourselves and build relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to actively practice and embed solidarity into our work.

Supporting First Nations-led Campaigns

If you would like to learn more about and support First Nations-led initiatives that Solar Citizens has made a contribution to and align with our mission of achieving a fair future powered by clean energy for all, here are some suggested organisations you could check out*:

First Nations Clean Energy Network

As the clean energy industry expands, it is important that we make decisions which determine our future and protect our country and culture. This means being free to decide which projects to pursue, and how best to protect our Country and sacred sites for generations to come.

We will make sure clean energy is done the right way, driven by our communities and developed so it sustains country for generations to come.

Seed

Seed is Australia’s first Indigenous youth climate network. We are building a movement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people for climate justice with the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.

Our vision is for a just and sustainable future with strong cultures and communities, powered by renewable energy.

Our Islands Our Home

Our Islands Our Home is a campaign led by Torres Strait Islanders to protect their island homes.

As part of this, eight claimants from Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait Islands) also known as the #TorresStrait8 have brought a human rights complaint against the Australian Federal Government to the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations over the Government’s inaction on climate change.

Our Islands Our Home is a First Nations-led campaign of 350.org, which is not a First Nations-led organisation.

Gudanji for Country

Gudanji For Country was formed to help elevate the voices of our clan The Kurrunjini Rrumburriya (a part of the Gudanji Nation), in speaking for and caring for our Country and Non Human Kin. As grass roots First Nations we are fighting to protect Country from the damaging effects of overgrazing, mining, and now fracking.

In fighting to protect our Country, we also aim to elevate the voices of other First Nations and their own struggles. In doing so, we hope to better inform the wider public about our goals to protect Country, how they can join us in this fight and how we will all benefit from working together to protect our environment.

Pertame School

Pertame (Southern Arrernte), is an Indigenous language spoken to the south of Alice Springs. Pertame is a severely endangered language, with less than 30 Elder fluent speakers still alive. Without serious action, Pertame will be lost within the next generation.

The Pertame School is a community-led language revival program empowering Pertame Elders to pass their language and cultural knowledge onto the next generation.

*Solar Citizens is not affiliated with or endorsed by these organisations.

First Nations Clean Energy Network toolkit

Solar Citizens refers to a range of resources developed by the First Nations Clean Energy Network, called the 'tool kit'. These resources have been developed to support the engagement of First Nations people in developments in renewable energy production, storage and consumption. It includes media such as short films, a First Nation's led energy project tracker, tips for Home Energy Efficiency and electrification, and Best Practice guides.