Assessing coastal development impacts on Indigenous Peoples

Socio-environmental conflicts are increasing in coastal areas across the world, with significant impacts on coastal environments and people. Owing to their location at the meeting of the land and the sea, coastal regions are experiencing growing population, development, tourism pressure, and industrial pressures, including ports, roads and wind farms. There is also growing evidence that Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately impacted due to their historical and structural marginalization, leaving enduring legacies of cultural loss, social inequity, and ecological degradation. Yet, the specific impacts of extractive and industrial activities on coastal Indigenous communities and their livelihoods, remain understudied. Here, we present an analysis of 401 socio-environmental conflicts involving at least 275 Indigenous ethnic groups, extracted from the Environmental Justice Atlas (EJAtlas). Our findings reveal that the prevalence and intensity of conflicts are geographically uneven and primarily driven by impact sectors such as energy production, mining, biomass extraction, and commodity agriculture. The environmental consequences include biodiversity loss, degradation of landscapes and seascapes, and adverse social outcomes include effects on Indigenous Peoples’ well-being and mental health. Notably, 83 cases involved the destruction of or displacement from ancestral lands or sacred sites. Our analysis also highlights how the impacts of conflicts differed substantially by sector and the level of rights recognition in countries where conflicts occurred. In conclusion, we highlight the need to address coastal conflicts and mitigate their impacts on Indigenous Peoples. Recognizing, respecting and protecting Indigenous rights and values is critical to chart pathways toward more just and sustainable development in coastal areas worldwide.