Towards solar extractivism? A political ecology understanding of the solar energy and agriculture boom in rural China

Energy Research & Social Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 98, P. 102988 - 102988

Published: Feb. 26, 2023

Language: Английский

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Global land deals: what has been done, what has changed, and what's next?

The Journal of Peasant Studies, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 38

Published: March 14, 2024

In 2010, we formed the Land Deal Politics Initiative to study rising number of large-scale land deals taking place around world. We organised small grant competitions and conferences generate more empirical research debate. this article, take stock current state knowledge, as well ways in which context has changed since 2010. identify seven themes: evident variety deals; role financial capital; new technologies; institutional reforms; green grabbing; authoritarian populism; violence, consent, resistance. Ongoing climate politics profound geopolitical shifts demand further research.

Language: Английский

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The political ecologies of "green" extractivism(s): An introduction

Journal of Political Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 31(1)

Published: July 23, 2024

What is so-called 'green' extractivism and where did it come from? The introduction to this Special Section examines the origins implications of concept, linking a long history exploitation, dispossession (neo)colonialism under guise green-washing notions such as 'sustainable development.' Conducting an in-depth literature review, we first revisit concept extractivism, exploring its origins, development analytical purchase. We link 'extra-action,' implying taking more than what viable for ecosystems argue supply-web oriented, rather point extraction-focused understanding. Subsequently, examine key theoretical frameworks in political ecology that paved way study notably Ecological Distribution Conflicts (which could better be labeled Destruction Conflicts) green grabbing. Based on this, discuss core features which are twofold: (1) use socioecological climate crises reinforce existing or generate new markets profit-generation opportunities; (2) mobilization claims ecological sustainability 'carbon neutrality' legitimize rationalize extraction. After outlining contributions, end by considering gaps scholarship suggest ways forward.

Language: Английский

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Social warfare for lithium extraction? Open-pit lithium mining, counterinsurgency tactics and enforcing green extractivism in northern Portugal

Energy Research & Social Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 95, P. 102912 - 102912

Published: Dec. 14, 2022

The European Union (EU) is highly dependent on importing raw materials for low-carbon infrastructures from around the globe. This material dependence has, since 2019, initiated legislation and efforts to intensify mining within EU. Iberian Peninsula remains a principle target area EU's critical (CRM) initiatives. article explores making of "Mina do Barroso" (Barroso Mine) in northern Portugal, which threatens "Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System" will potentially become largest open-pit lithium mine Western Europe. prospective project represents an investment public funding opportunity companies. Commission Portuguese government are applying increasing political pressures establish this make international decarbonization benchmarks through rapidly expanding electric vehicles (EVs) energy storage system (ESS). Barroso agrarian communities threatened with extensive socio-ecological impacts, leading locals, (some) climate activists environmental organizations reject project. Company personnel confronting growing opposition, blockades resolute "Minas Não!" (No Mines!). We explore subtle attempting engineer social acceptance Mina Barroso, revealing 'slow' warfare tactics employed by company infiltrate rural bonds, exploit psycho-social vulnerabilities attempt disable anti-mining organizing unity region. demonstrates insidious technologies pacification extraction assemble severe impacts Portugal.

Language: Английский

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Critical mineral mining in the energy transition: A systematic review of environmental, social, and governance risks and opportunities

Energy Research & Social Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 116, P. 103672 - 103672

Published: July 21, 2024

Language: Английский

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Critical minerals and rare earth elements in a planetary just transition: An interdisciplinary perspective

The Extractive Industries and Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19, P. 101510 - 101510

Published: Aug. 17, 2024

Language: Английский

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The off-sites of lithium production in the Atacama Desert

The Extractive Industries and Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15, P. 101309 - 101309

Published: July 14, 2023

The emergence of a narrative connecting the production lithium and its derivatives to process decarbonization planetary energy matrix obscures profound transformations this activity imparts in regions where soft metal is obtained. This article ethnographically explores what I conceptualize as off-sites Atacama Desert. These diverse transformed socioscapes that frame geophysical pathway brine, from extraction places ports final products are shipped, also encompasses vast worlds with complex material, social, symbolic dynamics. introduce not only spaces/places but an analytical concept allows attend many constituents intertwined multifaceted processes extraction, production, distribution, beyond economic productive realms. By foregrounding dependence on fossil fuels, infrastructures chemical toxicity stemming conversion plants different along route, shows how exaltation univocal project green future, damages these places, erases them public discourse extraction—thus silently aggravating structural inequalities precariousness quotidian life for inhabitants, while producing dystopian scenarios.

Language: Английский

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Lithium extractivism: perpetuating historical asymmetries in the ‘Green economy’

Third World Quarterly, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 44(6), P. 1119 - 1136

Published: Feb. 15, 2023

The ‘Green economy’, a central plank of the sustainable development political and economic international agenda, relies on industrial extraction water, minerals other earths to produce ‘green energy’ feed capitalist growth. term Green extractivism describes global problem that we examine through case lithium in territory Atacameño-Likanantay (Indigenous) peoples Salar de Atacama, Chile. is multiscalar logic practice justified policies, responding demands capital, modifying national legal instruments, permeating social, ecological realities territories extraction. has many consistencies with asymmetries power dependency characterises history Chile Latin America. As such, provides new sustain transnational capitalism. This paper traces histories from mid-twentieth century, demonstrating long extractivist relationship between state companies operate Atacama. We consider, particular, dynamics peoples’ participation refusals industry processes, which trouble logics.

Language: Английский

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Mind the gap: The global governance of just transitions

Global Policy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(3), P. 425 - 437

Published: June 1, 2023

Abstract Transitions away from fossil fuels need to be governed, financed, regulated and coordinated, patterns of production innovation steered shaped by rulemaking bodies at all levels authority. For this happen across a highly uneven international system, global institutions have vital role play in supporting implementing just transitions (JTs) that align with principles addressing the procedural, distributional, intergenerational recognition‐based aspects justice which help address temporal spatial transitions. In paper, we review ways are involved governance JTs. We illustrate roles these playing through three key areas JTs: (i) finance (ii) labour protection (iii) mobilising alternatives. To make sense diverse nature engagements their implications, explore turn four gaps way approaching issue

Language: Английский

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Governance gaps and accountability traps in renewables extractivism

Environmental Policy and Governance, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 18, 2024

Abstract The global uptake of renewable technology is both a dramatic and insufficient contribution to achieving 1.5–2° world. However, urgently decarbonizing energy use systems by shifting renewables relies on intensifying supply chains, beginning with the extraction “critical” minerals, an industry that has long history generating significant social ecological harms. This paper examines nature transnational governance initiatives have emerged regulate what been called “renewables extractivism.” We develop novel database 44 for governing minerals onshore wind, solar PV, lithium‐ion batteries, which are driving uptake. reveals “governance gaps” refer absence rules many critical “accountability traps” where actors held responsible processes, standards, sanctions reflect their own normative logics, rather than needs affected communities ecosystems. Current designed in way measures, evaluates, (very rarely) outcomes primarily relation chain security access, as opposed mitigating environmental harms resource extraction. result architecture operates (and systematically) minimal scrutiny, transparency, accountability. For stakeholders directly latest mining boom cycle, effective legitimate accountability mechanisms reinforces pattern uneven development shifts most destructive forms margins commodity frontier.

Language: Английский

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