Across Asia, the rush towards new energy projects — from renewables to “false solutions” — is increasing risks for communities and defenders who speak out against the harmful impacts of these projects.
Across Asia, the rush towards new energy projects — from renewables to “false solutions” — is increasing risks for communities and defenders who speak out against the harmful impacts of these projects. The report “Financing the Transition, Silencing Defenders“:
- analyses 12 case studies from seven Asian countries, examining reprisals in the context of renewable energy projects, their impacts, and who is behind;
- presents the affected communities’ key concerns;
- highlights the role and responsibilities of development banks, and their (in)action when reprisals occur;
- provides recommendations for development banks on how to safely and meaningfully include communities in the design and implementation of energy transition projects.
“Financing the Transition, Silencing Defenders” was published in June 2026 by the Coalition for Human Rights in Development, together with its members and partners Aksi! for Gender, Social and Ecological Justice, Asia Pacific Network of Environmental Defenders, Darya-e Swat Bachau Tehreek, FORUM-ASIA, GAIA Asia Pacific, International Accountability Project, Jalaur River for the People’s Movement, NGO Forum on ADB, People Ecology Network, and Rivers & Rights.
*This report is co-supported by Heinrich Böll Stiftung Southeast Asia
