COAL MINING: FUELLING INJUSTICE: WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND AUSTRLALIAN COAL MINING IN AFRICA
Link: https://actionaid.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Fuelling-inustice-Womens-rights-and-Australian-coal-mining-in-Africa.pdf
The report's key findings regarding women include:
Women are often excluded from the economic benefits of the mining industry while bearing the social and environmental costs
. The coal industry has led to increased unpaid labor for women, who are typically responsible for collecting water, subsistence farming, and family healthcare
. The extractive industry has been linked to major human rights violations, with women facing the worst impacts
. These violations include gender-based violence, increased HIV rates, and severe and chronic health problems caused by environmental pollution . Women working in the mining industry are exposed to high levels of violence and rape
. Climate change, fueled by coal mining, disproportionately impacts women and the most vulnerable communities in Africa
In the face of these challenges, women's organizations and communities have developed their own visions for sustainable development that do not rely on fossil fuel extraction
. They are calling for alternatives like the redistribution of land and a rapid transition to renewable energy and organic agriculture . The report recommends that the Australian government engage in consultation with African women from mining-affected communities to ensure their vision and recommendations are addressed
.
This report by ActionAid, titled "Fuelling injustice: Women's rights and Australian coal mining in Africa," examines the scale of Australian companies' coal interests in Africa and the impacts on women's rights, sustainable development, and climate change
Key Findings
Scale of Australian Coal Interests: Coal is the second most common commodity for Australian companies in Africa, after gold
. The report identifies 28 coal projects run by 10 Australian companies, with most projects located in South Africa, Botswana, and Tanzania . Carbon Liability: The projects contain a combined 34 billion tonnes of coal, which is more than three times the reserves of the proposed Carmichael mine in Queensland
. This represents a potential for 45 billion tonnes of carbon emissions, which is approximately 18% of the global carbon budget to limit warming to 1.5°C . The report emphasizes that to avoid the most dangerous climate change, this coal must remain unmined, as there is no room for new coal projects within the global carbon budget . Impact on Women: The report states that women in mining-affected communities often bear the worst impacts of the extractive industry without reaping the benefits
. These impacts include gender-based violence, increased rates of HIV, food insecurity, health problems from pollution, and a heavier burden of unpaid labor . Women working in the mining sector are also at high risk of sexual violence and harassment . Lack of Transparency and Regulation: The report highlights a lack of publicly available data on Australian mining projects in Africa and finds that Australian companies are often among the "worst offenders" regarding safety and security
.
Recommendations
The report calls on the Australian government to take several actions, including
Consult with African women from mining-affected communities.
Increase transparency through public, project-by-project reporting.
Increase access to justice for affected communities.
Rule out public financing and subsidies for fossil fuel projects.
Increase climate finance for just and sustainable alternatives.
Support a binding international treaty on Business and Human Rights.
Ensure that government support for Australian investment in Africa aligns with international obligations on human rights, gender equality, and climate change.
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