Swiss mining firm backs court's land rights decision in Guatemala

The Switzerland-based Solway Investment Group supports a recent court ruling that mandates Guatemala to acknowledge the property rights of an Indigenous community.

— Christopher Sherman reports for AP News.


In short:

  • The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled against Guatemala, asserting the rights of the Indigenous Q’eqchi’ people over mining lands.
  • Guatemala is instructed to legislate for Indigenous property recognition and start awarding land titles to the Agua Caliente community within six months.
  • Solway, which acquired local mining companies in 2011, pledges to assist the Guatemalan government in respecting the court's decision and the rights of the Indigenous community.

Key quote:

“We will support the efforts of the Guatemalan government to conduct discussions with (the) Agua Caliente community as the court ruling stipulates.”

— Statement from Solway Investment Group

More Top News:

Visit Environmental Health News for the latest breaking news on environmental health and climate change.

A man and woman at home looking at bills

As the planet heats, insurance premiums rise

Climate-related disasters are causing more and more damage, resulting in higher insurance claims and payouts and, ultimately, higher premiums.
a close up of a grass and snow line

Worst snow drought in decades grips much of Western US

Except for California, most Western states are experiencing the worst snow drought in decades not because of dry conditions but really warm temperatures that change snow to rain.
Geothermal power plant with silver pipes

Geothermal could replace almost half of the EU’s fossil fuel power

Advances in drilling and subsurface engineering are unlocking a constant, carbon-free power source deep within the Earth.
white and red airplane pouring red powder on fire with dark smoke in background.
Credit: Ben Kuo/Unsplash

Endangerment finding: Trump allies near 'total victory' in wiping out U.S. climate regulation

A small group of conservative activists has worked for 16 years to stop all government efforts to fight climate change. Their efforts seem poised to pay off.
EXXON sign against blue-sky background
Credit: Wolterk/BigStock Photo ID: 151650362

Longtime Exxon lawyers retreat from oil company’s climate cases

Attorneys from the law firm Paul, Weiss are no longer representing the oil company in at least four lawsuits that ask the fossil fuel industry to pay for climate impacts.

Solar panels on a snowy landscape

How Ukraine is turning to renewables to keep heat and lights on

Russia continues to bomb Ukraine’s fossil-fueled power plants, leaving much of the nation shivering during a brutal winter. But Ukraine’s new emphasis on developing decentralized power — from solar panels to wind turbines — is advancing an unexpected green energy transition.
Iceland's snowy, icy, landscape

How a warming planet could turn Iceland into a glacier

Human-driven warming could cause the collapse of AMOC, a powerful ocean current system, and throw Iceland into a deep freeze.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.