Chile has reached a major milestone for nature and communities alike. The Government of Chile has officially declared the Futaleufú and Puelo Rivers as Environmental Flow Reserves, the country’s first-ever rivers to receive this form of legal protection. This landmark decision guarantees that a significant portion of each river’s natural flow will remain intact to…
Background In a new study, International Rivers and Irigaray e Associados, Análise Juridica da Legislação Ambiental Brasileira, reveal a potentially transformative legal approach to protecting Brazil’s Tapajós River, revered by Indigenous communities as the “River of Life.” Despite its immense cultural and ecological value, the river basin is increasingly threatened by widespread illegal gold mining,…
In April 2025, International Rivers’ long-time friend Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari received the Goldman Environmental Prize for her work securing legal protections for the Marañón River. International Rivers was proud to nominate Mari Luz, celebrate her win at the Goldman Prize ceremony, and, together with the Goldman Foundation, co-host a webinar with Mari Luz and…
By Maureen Harris, Senior Advisor of International Rivers Today, 24 January 2025, marks three years since the unjust trial and sentencing of our partner and friend, environmental lawyer and climate advocate Dang Dinh Bach (Bach). Bach is a river defender. He worked for years to raise awareness about the downstream impacts of dams on the Mekong…
The Civil Court of Loreto issued a ruling this week that upholds the rights of the Marañón River, marking a significant victory for environmental justice and Indigenous rights in Peru. Originating in the Andes and flowing into the Amazon, the Marañón is critical to biodiversity and Indigenous communities, particularly the Kukama people who have long…
A new in-depth report about Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) was released in June 2024, outlining the problems with the financing, governance, energy solutions, and participation necessary to achieve a truly just transition. The report, ‘The Missing “Just” in Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP),’ [MOU1] examines Vietnam’s transition away from coal-based energy from…
During this year’s COP28 climate meeting in Dubai, International Rivers and partners brought attention to the critical need for prioritizing and addressing human rights and a just energy transition if our global climate goals are to truly succeed. The UNFCCC Climate meeting took place from November 30 to December 12, 2023. Sessions and negotiations on…
An analysis of the costs, risks and impacts of pursuing an energy future reliant on hydropower versus solar and wind Background Namibia currently has a small energy system that is dominated by its 347 megawatts (MW) Ruacana hydropower plant. The country is also considering an additional hydropower plant, the Baynes Hydropower Project on the Kunene…
Originally published in Alternet by Josh Klemm and Eugene Simonov Not only does hydroelectric power fail to prevent catastrophic climate change, but it also renders countries more vulnerable to climate change while emitting significant amounts of methane, one of the worst greenhouse gases. A river is a spectacular living corridor that feeds forests, fisheries, coastal ecosystems, and…
Publicação da International Rivers traz estudos inéditos sobre riqueza socioambiental e de biodiversidade da bacia do Tapajós, como também potenciais ameaças de exploração do território. Press Release in English follows below Contatos Cecília Garcia, jornalista da equipe da América Latina da International Rivers, cgarcia@internationalrivers.org, Isadora Armani, jornalista da equipe da América Latina da International Rivers, …
