The Daily Journal.- Venezuelan organizations Clima21 and the Venezuelan Program for Education-Action in Human Rights (Provea) called on the government to establish environmental and human rights safeguards as it implements new oil agreements and licenses granted to U.S. companies.
In a joint statement, the organizations expressed concern over the lack of public information about the conditions governing the new operations. They warned that economic recovery and increased oil production should not lead to weaker environmental oversight or neglect the country’s accumulated environmental liabilities.
Clima21 and Provea said revitalizing the oil industry requires clear, public rules to prevent, mitigate, and remedy environmental impacts, as well as accountability mechanisms for the companies and government agencies involved.
The organizations argued that new commercial agreements in the hydrocarbon sector should include environmental and human rights due diligence clauses in accordance with international standards and should apply to both the Venezuelan government and multinational companies operating in the country.
One of their main concerns involves Indigenous peoples living in areas affected by hydrocarbon extraction and transportation projects. The NGOs called for all new operations to respect these communities’ territorial and cultural rights and guarantee mechanisms for free, prior and informed consultation.
According to the statement, expanding oil activities could increase pressure on Indigenous territories, soils and freshwater sources, potentially affecting food security and the living conditions of these communities.
Clima21 and Provea also raised concerns about recurring oil spills that damage marine and coastal ecosystems, particularly in Falcón state, mangrove ecosystems, and the Gulf of Venezuela.
The organizations said these incidents also create economic consequences for communities that depend on artisanal fishing by damaging boats and fishing equipment, harming commercially important species and contaminating products intended for consumption and sale.
In response, the NGOs presented a series of proposals to the national government and energy authorities focusing on five areas: access to information, Indigenous peoples’ rights, remediation of environmental liabilities, stronger oversight mechanisms and a transition toward an economy less dependent on oil.
On transparency, they called for authorities to publish in full the environmental conditions associated with oil licenses to allow public oversight. They also demanded compliance with free, prior, and informed consultation requirements for Indigenous communities in project areas.
Regarding environmental liabilities, they urged authorities to prioritize cleanup efforts in areas affected by historical and recurring oil spills before moving forward with plans to expand oil infrastructure.
They also called for stronger environmental oversight agencies to assess the performance and impact of oil operations. They proposed a national debate on economic diversification and reducing the country’s dependence on oil revenues.
The organizations maintained that efforts to revive the hydrocarbon industry must include transparency mechanisms, environmental protections and human rights safeguards.
