Automakers Still Lag on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Despite Notable Firsts in 4th Industry Leaderboard
SIRGE Coalition reviewed Indigenous Peoples’ rights findings in fourth annual Lead the Charge automotive supply chain leaderboard. Notable outcomes included:
The average achievement for Indigenous Peoples’ rights remained the lowest performance indicator at 9%, up from 6% last year.
The largest number of evaluated companies made improvements since the leaderboard first launched in 2023.
Automakers taking initial steps on Indigenous Peoples’ rights were in the majority (12 out of 18) for the first time, and half of the companies improved their scores from last year.
Top-scoring companies were Ford (26%), Mercedes (26%), Tesla (25%), Volkswagen (23%), and Renault (17%).
Nissan, Honda, BYD, Toyota, GAC and SAIC scored zero.
Indicators on Indigenous Peoples’ rights expanded to include Indigenous Peoples’ involvement in due diligence processes and processes for operationalizing free, prior and informed consent FPIC; these demonstrated considerable gaps.
Among further concerns: few commits to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), almost no disclosure where in the supply chain Indigenous Peoples’ risks exist, and no automaker meets criteria for grievance mechanisms or impact data.
Statements from SIRGE Coalition members, whose organizations participated in the review:
“The SIRGE Coalition acknowledges modest but meaningful progress on Indigenous Peoples’ rights in this year’s automaker Leaderboard. While overall scores remain low, eight automakers improved their performance and the sector’s average score rose by three percent compared to last year, signaling growing recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights at the policy level. For the first time, automakers with no commitments to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and Indigenous Peoples’ rights are in the minority.Yet, these commitments have not translated into tangible action and respect for rights on the ground. Across supply chains and transition mineral mining, concrete implementation lags far behind corporate policy statements. The auto industry must now pivot from recognizing rights to operationalizing them.The SIRGE Coalition will continue pressing automakers to demonstrate meaningful implementation, accountability, and respect for Indigenous Peoples’ rights where impacts are occurring.” –Galina Angarova, Executive Director, Securing Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in the Green Economy (SIRGE) Coalition
“Since Lead the Charge’s leaderboard was first published, we have witnessed in real time the automotive industry address Indigenous Peoples' risk criteria. While some automakers are building or improving policy in incremental steps, much more progress needs to happen quickly as impacts to Indigenous Peoples’ lands are accelerating with the energy transition and mining for new technologies. We call on all companies to be swift and comprehensive when implementing due diligence to avoid Indigenous Peoples’ rights violations at all points in their supply chains and manufacturing processes.” –Kate R. Finn, Founder & Executive Director, Tallgrass Institute
“Unfortunately, the positive expansion of Indigenous indicators has shown not only gaps in the operationalization of FPIC, but a flawed understanding of Indigenous Peoples' rights that are still treated as policy language or a tool to be checked and displayed as non-enforceable conditions. Without binding contract clauses, traceability, independent verification, remedy, and full participation of Indigenous affected communities, FPIC remains optional in practice.” –Edson Krenak, Brazil Program Manager, Cultural Survival
“By pushing for improvements across a variety of issues, electric vehicle makers are demonstrating that they have the ability to help transform mineral supply chains. As influential buyers, they can steer the mining industry towards practices that respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights, workers, human rights, and the environment.” –Ellen Moore, Mining Program Director, Earthworks