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🗞️ Driving the news: Despite a historic referendum last year in which nearly 60% of Ecuadorians voted to end oil drilling in Yasuni National Park, hundreds of wells remain operational
• The Ecuadorian government recently closed just one well but is seeking a five-year extension to cease operations completely
• This delay has sparked criticism from Indigenous groups and environmental advocates

🔭 The context: Yasuni National Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, is home to the Waorani, Taromenane, and Tagaeri Indigenous communities
• The oil industry has operated in the region for decades, often leading to environmental degradation and health issues for local residents
• The government faces pressure to comply with the referendum results and judicial orders mandating the closure of over 200 wells by the end of August 2024

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Yasuni National Park is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, and continuing oil drilling threatens its ecological integrity and the rights of Indigenous communities
• The referendum result was seen as a major win for environmental protection and Indigenous rights
Failure to follow through could undermine global efforts to preserve critical ecosystems and fight climate change

⏭️ What's next: Indigenous leaders, including Waorani representatives, plan to speak to Ecuador's Congress, demanding inclusion in the process and compliance with the referendum
• The government’s plan to phase out drilling by December 2029 faces financial and logistical challenges, particularly given Ecuador's reliance on oil revenue, which constitutes nearly a third of its GDP

💬 One quote: “The government is bound by its obligations to the constitutional court, which gave it a year to close 227 wells,” said Kevin Koenig, Climate and Energy Director at Amazon Watch

📈 One stat: Ending oil drilling at the 43-ITT oil block in Yasuni could cost Ecuador $1.3 billion (around €1.2 billion), according to government estimates

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