It is well known that the extraction and use of coal, crude oil and natural gas negatively affect people and the environment. But renewable energy projects must also adhere to human rights standards. Nonetheless, big energy companies disregard human rights and environmental protection standards time and again – as in the case of Électricité de France in Oaxaca, Mexico.
French energy giant EDF has been developing the Gunaa Sicarú wind park project since 2015. The problem: wind power stations were planned for construction on the territory of the indigenous Unión Hidalgo community. While EDF tried to secure authorization permits from the Mexican state for the project, the indigenous group was, however, not sufficiently consulted in the process. This is why Unión Hidalgo representatives, the Mexican organization ProDESC and ECCHR filed a civil suit against EDF in France in October 2020. The company was supposed to halt construction on the wind farm project until it is able to guarantee human rights standards.
In June 2022, however, the Mexican energy ministry itself shut down the project before its completion. This decision is a great success for the indigenous group – but due to prior damages, the proceedings in France continue. In June 2024 the Paris Appeal Court admitted the civil lawsuit and clarified crucial steps regarding access to justice for futre cases under the French Corporate Duty of Vigilance Law (Loi de Vigilance - LdV). After three years of procedural arguments the cas can finally move on to the merits: if EDF is in compliance with ist vigilance obligation.