A Rocha Ghana is celebrating a major global win for nature and people following the announcement that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has officially adopted Motion 104, titled “Safeguarding Biodiversity and Human Rights in the Energy Transition.”
This groundbreaking resolution, led by A Rocha Ghana and supported by conservation allies worldwide, calls on governments, companies, and civil society to ensure that the global shift to renewable energy does not come at the expense of biodiversity or the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs).
According to the National Director of A Rocha Ghana, Dr. Seth Appiah-Kubi, “The adoption of this motion is a defining moment for conservation justice. The global energy transition must be clean, fair, and respectful of both people and planet.”
“Motion 104 gives us a strong foundation to make that vision real. We’re grateful to all IUCN Members who stood with us and voted for the motion,” he added.
Motion 104
Motion 104 called for the creation of no-go zones for mining in ecologically or culturally critical areas, the protection and participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, transparency and accountability across global mineral supply chains, and the establishment of strong governance frameworks that align the energy transition with biodiversity goals.
Once adopted by IUCN Members, a motion becomes a formal IUCN Resolution, representing the collective position of IUCN’s global membership and guiding its work and influence in shaping international conservation policy. With this adoption, Motion 104 now stands as an official IUCN Resolution, setting a new global benchmark for responsible mineral governance that respects both people and nature.
As the demand for minerals such as lithium, nickel, and copper continues to grow, Motion 104 serves as a timely reminder that a green future must also be a just one.
A Rocha Ghana is proud to have worked alongside an inspiring coalition of co-sponsors and partners who helped bring this vision to life. These include Non-Timber Forest Products – Exchange Programme Asia (Philippines), Stop Ecocide International Ltd (UK), Wetlands International (Netherlands), Africa Institute for Energy Governance (Uganda), Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Argentina), Stichting CHIMBO (Netherlands), Forest Peoples Programme (UK), and Natuur & Milieu (Netherlands). This victory is a shared achievement and a clear demonstration that collaboration across continents can shape global environmental policy and advance conservation justice.
Voting Results and Global Support
The adoption of Motion 104 received overwhelming support across all categories of IUCN membership, demonstrating a strong global commitment to protecting both people and the planet.
IUCN Members are divided into three main categories for voting purposes. Category A represents states, government agencies, and political or economic integration organizations. Category B comprises national and international non-governmental organizations, while Category C includes Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations.
During the voting on Motion 104, Category A recorded a total of 189 votes, with 140 in favour, 12 against, and 37 abstentions. Categories B and C, which were combined for the process, recorded 776 votes, with 655 in favour, 36 against, and 85 abstentions.
This strong majority across all membership groups underscores a shared recognition that the global energy transition must be guided by justice, biodiversity protection, and respect for Indigenous rights.
In the words of A Rocha Ghana, “This result shows that the global conservation community stands united. We are deeply encouraged that IUCN Members from governments, NGOs, and Indigenous Peoples’ organizations came together to support this vision for a fair and responsible future.”
Next Steps
With Motion 104 now adopted as a formal IUCN Resolution, A Rocha Ghana and its partners will continue to raise awareness and build capacity for responsible transition mineral governance in Africa, engage governments and industries to implement the resolution’s provisions, and support Indigenous and local communities affected by mining activities.
This global achievement underscores A Rocha Ghana’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that the renewable energy transition protects both people and the planet.