Contributing to the United Nations' 2030 Agenda
Through the following SDGs:
NO-GO decision following the human rights impact assessment in La Guajira
The project explained below shows Repsol's commitment to human rights, in particular the due diligence required of companies by the United Nations in its guiding principles.
Before beginning an exploratory project in Colombian Caribbean territorial waters, in the region of La Guajira in Colombia, Repsol conducted a human rights impact assessment that concluded with the company's decision not to carry out the exploratory project.
The reason was that the project incurred a high cultural impact on sacred spaces of the Wayuu ethnic group, with no possible mitigation measures.
The exploratory project was intended to be developed in the RC 12 West Block in the La Guajira region of northern Colombia.
What is a human rights impact assessment?
It is the key element of the due diligence that companies must comply with in accordance with the "Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights" adopted in 2011 by the United Nations.
Repsol's Human Rights and Community Relations Policy is aligned with these principles, and consequently requires Repsol to:
The human rights impact assessment prior to the start of the seismic activity was carried out following Repsol's Human Rights Impact Assessment Guide, which is aligned with the United Nations guidelines. The process followed is shown in the following chart:
Activities carried out
During the preliminary analysis phase and definition of the study’s scope, several actions were carried out:
The impact identification and evaluation was carried out with a participatory approach and respect for indigenous cultures with participation by a multidisciplinary team of internal experts and local and international human rights consultants. Repsol's methodology was previously presented to the traditional authorities of the Wayuu people. The interviews were conducted between March and April 2018 in Alta Guajira, by a team familiar with the area and its customs. The interviews were conducted ensuring diversity to ensure active participation by the communities.
Results of the study
The conclusions of the study were shared with the indigenous communities through meetings with broad participation in the local language (wayunikki) where aspects related to territoriality, loss of young people’s identity, and labor, economic, women's and environmental rights were identified.
However, the most relevant impact identified was the protection of sacred spaces.. If the project were to be implemented, it would be carried out in a geographic area that the Wayuu people identify as Jepira, which includes mythical and sacred spaces for this ethnic group, in such a way that the culture and the very existence of the Wayuu people could be put at risk.
After analysing the cultural impact and determining that there were no possible mitigation measures, the company's decision was not to continue operations in this block, in line with our policy of recognizing and respecting communities’ cultural diversity.
This case was presented at the European Parliament in Brussels during the "Companies and Due Diligence in Latin America" private event in 2019.
Contributing to the United Nations' 2030 Agenda
Through the following SDGs:
SDG 8
Decent work and economic growth
SDG 16
Peace, justice, and strong institutions
SDG 11
Sustainable cities and communities
You may also be interested in