Slow justice and other unexpected consequences of litigation in environmental conflicts

Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-MMovements are increasingly taking companies to court for environmental and social harms. Yet little is known about the consequences this strategy has for movements and their struggles. Through a cross-country comparison of three environmental litigation cases in Argentina, Nicaragua, and Spain, we find that local groups encounter three interrelated consequences: i) 'slow justice', a strategy generally driven by companies to delay proceedings and demobilize movements; ii) courts reduce complex impacts to simplified, scientifically verifiable and legally punishable damages, thus invisibilizing certain harms, victims, narratives and demands; and iii) local groups lose control of the resistance process as judges and lawyers become key decision-makers. These dynamics interact with the specific features of environmental conflicts -uncertainty, slow violence and marginalized affected parties- to deepen power inequalities in litigation processes. Our findings are contextualized within the literatures on legal mobilization and the judicialization of politics. We conclude that social movements, when looking for a fair and just solution through the judicial system, encounter different but highly hierarchical power structures. And even if they win in the courts, companies can avoid complying with the judicial orders

The political ecology of oil and gas corporations : TotalEnergies and post-colonial exploitation to concentrate energy in industrial economies

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABUnidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-MIndustrial economies require a steady supply of energy to reproduce and grow. Oil and gas companies fulfil that socio-economic function by constantly finding, extracting and transporting energy sources. The steady extraction and concentration of fossil resources in industrialised centres requires the constant expansion of extraction frontiers and the exploitation of the environment and local communities in unindustrialised areas. This leads to conflicts where local environmental justice organisations fight for the preservation of their lives, livelihood and culture, while companies defend their profits. Thus, oil companies become vectors of an oppression that links the societies enjoying the benefits of lavish energy with those that suffer the impacts of extraction. In this work, based on the Environmental Justice Atlas database, we systematically analyse 50 environmental conflicts related to one of such companies - the French oil major TotalEnergies. Our research reveals the social and environmental cost of the energy resources that power industrial economies. We find that, despite a recent narrative focused on the company's 'greening', TotalEnergies' extraction and concentration functions remain inextricably linked to fossil fuels. Furthermore, the interests and operations of TotalEnergies and the French State are inextricably intertwined and reproduce colonial relationships of power. Our findings support theories of change based on the abandonment of colonial and extractive State models, rather than pursuing fiscal and regulatory measures alone

Socio-ecological distribution conflicts in the mining sector in Guatemala (2005-2013) : deep rooted injustice and weak environmental governance

Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu MdM-2015-0552This study characterizes ecological distribution conflicts (EDC) related to the mining industry and derives a series of political implications for Guatemala. The characterization includes a placement in the context of Central America, regional location, intensity of the EDC and the trends in social and environmental consequences, with special emphasis on the groups of social actors affected and the degree to which the institutional framework does not provide effective means of participatory environmental governance. The time period covers 2005 to 2013. In order to understand trends in actor behavior and diverse moments of high intensity we introduce the use of action and response timelines as a methodology for EDC analysis. We propose the notions of embedded conflicts to describe their relation with the structural social conditions prevailing in the country and swarms of conflicts to describe their escalation through time. We conclude that conflictivity is inherent to the unsustainable characteristics of metallic mining and is aggravated by Guatemalás history of social inequality and power concentration. The attempts to reduce "conflictivity" through CSR have been insufficient in addressing these structural conditions. EDCs may have helped create a positive environment for creative forces to seek sustainability and justice in Guatemalás development model

Global impacts of extractive and industrial development projects on Indigenous Peoples' lifeways, lands, and rights

Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-MTo what extent do extractive and industrial development pressures affect Indigenous Peoples' lifeways, lands, and rights globally? We analyze 3081 environmental conflicts over development projects to quantify Indigenous Peoples' exposure to 11 reported social-environmental impacts jeopardizing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples are affected in at least 34% of all documented environmental conflicts worldwide. More than three-fourths of these conflicts are caused by mining, fossil fuels, dam projects, and the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and livestock (AFFL) sector. Landscape loss (56% of cases), livelihood loss (52%), and land dispossession (50%) are reported to occur globally most often and are significantly more frequent in the AFFL sector. The resulting burdens jeopardize Indigenous rights and impede the realization of global environmental justice

Responding to the need of postgraduate education for Planetary Health : Development of an online Master's Degree

Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-MAltres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de CatalunyaPlanetary Health has emerged as a new approach to respond to the existential risks that the clime and global environmental crises pose to human societies. As stated by various stakeholders, the challenges involved in Planetary Health are of such magnitude that education must be at the forefront to obtain a meaningful response. Universities and higher education institutions have been specifically called to embed the concept of planetary stewardship in all curricula and train the next generation of researchers and change makers as a matter of urgency. As a response to this call, the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) developed the first online and asynchronous Master in Science (MSc) in Planetary Health. The aim of the programme is to train a new generation of academics and professionals who understand the challenges of Planetary Health and have tools to tackle them. This article describes the development of the curriculum of this MSc, presents the main characteristics of the programme and discusses some of the challenges encountered in the development of the programme and its implementation. The design of this MSc was based on: the alignment of the programme with the principles for Planetary Health education with a focus on human health; a multi-, inter-, and trans-disciplinary approach; the urgency to respond to the Anthropocene challenges; and the commitment to the 2030 Agenda. The MSc was recognized as an official degree by the Agency for Quality of the Catalan University System, included in the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education, and the Spanish National Academic Coordination body in April 2021 and launched in October 2021. There are currently more than 50 students enrolled in the program coming from a broad range of disciplines and geographic locations. The information presented in this article and the discussion on challenges encountered in developing and implementing the programme can be useful for those working in the development of similar programs

Violence(s) and social resistance in a toxic world : a multiscale analysis of environmental health justice struggles

L'objectiu d'aquesta tesi és ampliar el coneixement dels conflictes ambientals en el context de la contaminació tòxica. Una forma de contaminació ambiental que causa danys a la salut humana i no humana, que està a tot arreu, però sovint és invisible. Organitzada en un compendi de tres articles, cada article d'aquesta dissertació presenta una pregunta d'investigació i una contribució específica. En primer lloc, el Capítol II amplia el que entenem com a violència en els conflictes ambientals, i proposa un enfocament multidimensional per portar a el debat i visibilitzar formes de violència com a processos (més que fites en el temps i espai) que, com la contaminació tòxica , supera escales temporals, geogràfiques i Inter generacionals. En segon lloc, el capítol III aborda la dimensió de gènere per revelar que l'origen i els mètodes utilitzats per recopilar l'evidència científica mitjançant la demografia reconeguda com a víctima de la contaminació tòxica. El reconeixement de la victimització també està mediat per les arrelades relacions de poder de gènere dins de les organitzacions de justícia ambiental. En tercer lloc, el Capítol IV fa un salt cap a una anàlisi global i identifica les tendències en conflictes ambientals on s'han reportat efectes per a la salut humana com a resultat de l'exposició a contaminació tòxica. Veiem tendències diferents i clares; per tant, sostinc que aquests ""conflictes de salut ambiental"", requereixen un marc específic per abordar la seva complexitat i diferències. Una d'aquestes tendències, per exemple, és el paper clau de les comunitats de la classe treballadora com a grups mobilitzats; són actors, però, gairebé oblidats pels estudiosos dels conflictes ambientals. Mentre que el Capítol III es basi en mètodes etnogràfics mitjançant l'estudi de cas dels treballadors agrícoles bananers que reclamen reparacions per danys a la salut, causats pel pesticida Dibromocloropropano (DBCP) a Nicaragua, el Capítol II es basa en 95 conflictes ambientals en Amèrica Central i el capítol IV utilitza un total de 3033 casos a tot el món per la seva anàlisi. Per als dos últims capítols, em baso en dades de l'Atles Global de Justícia Ambiental (EJAtlas), la mostra mundial més àmplia i disponible sobre conflictes ambientals en l'actualitat. En resum, aquesta investigació ofereix aportacions teòriques i destaca implicacions metodològiques per a l'estudi dels conflictes ambientals, la justícia ambiental i l'ecologia política. Avança el que entenem com a violència. Proporciona lents crítics per abordar les relacions de poder dins de les organitzacions de justícia ambiental i té com a objectiu generar coneixement sobre un problema important i global que, tot i que urgent, rep menys atenció a l'agenda ambiental global: la qüestió d'un món agrari i industrial , cada vegada més intensiu en productes químics.El objetivo de esta tesis es ampliar el conocimiento de los conflictos ambientales en el contexto de la contaminación tóxica. Una forma de contaminación ambiental que causa daños a la salud humana y no humana, que está en todas partes, pero a menudo es invisible. Organizada en un compendio de tres artículos, cada artículo de esta disertación presenta una pregunta de investigación y una contribución específica. En primer lugar, el Capítulo II amplía lo que entendemos como violencia en los conflictos ambientales, y propone un enfoque multidimensional para traer al debate y visibilizar formas de violencia como procesos (más que hitos en el tiempo y espacio) que, como la contaminación tóxica, supera escalas temporales, geográficas e intergeneracionales. En segundo lugar, el Capítulo III aborda la dimensión de género para revelar que el origen y los métodos utilizados para recopilar la evidencia científica median la demografía reconocida como víctima de la contaminación tóxica. El reconocimiento de la victimización también está mediado por las arraigadas relaciones de poder de género dentro de las organizaciones de justicia ambiental. En tercer lugar, el Capítulo IV da un salto hacia un análisis global e identifica las tendencias en conflictos ambientales donde se han reportado efectos para la salud humana como resultado de la exposición a contaminación tóxica. Vemos tendencias diferentes y claras; por lo tanto, sostengo que estos ""conflictos de salud ambiental"", requieren un marco específico para abordar su complejidad y diferencias. Una de estas tendencias, por ejemplo, es el papel clave de las comunidades de la clase trabajadora como grupos movilizadores; son actores, sin embargo, casi olvidados por los estudiosos de los conflictos ambientales. Mientras que el Capítulo III se base en métodos etnográficos mediante el estudio de caso de los trabajadores agrícolas bananeros que reclaman reparaciones por daños a la salud, causados por el pesticida Dibromocloropropano (DBCP) en Nicaragua, el Capítulo II se basa en 95 conflictos ambientales en Centroamérica y el Capítulo IV utiliza un total de 3033 casos en todo el mundo para su análisis. Para los dos últimos capítulos, me baso en datos del Atlas Global de Justicia Ambiental (EJAtlas), la muestra mundial más amplia y disponible sobre conflictos ambientales en la actualidad. En resumen, esta investigación ofrece aportes teóricos y destaca implicaciones metodológicas para el estudio de los conflictos ambientales, la justicia ambiental y la ecología política. Avanza lo que entendemos como violencia. Proporciona lentes críticos para abordar las relaciones de poder dentro de las organizaciones de justicia ambiental y tiene como objetivo generar conocimiento sobre un problema importante y global que, aunque urgente, recibe menos atención en la agenda ambiental global: la cuestión de un mundo agrario e industrial, cada vez más intensivo en productos químicos.The aim of this dissertation is to expand knowledge regarding environmental conflicts in the context of toxic pollution-a form of environmental pollution causing health harm to human and non-human beings, which is everywhere but often invisible. Organized into a compendium of three articles, each article presents a research question and a specific contribution. First, Chapter II expands what we understand as violence in environmental conflicts and proposes a multidimensional approach to bring to the debate and to make visible forms of violence as processes (rather than actions in time and space) that, as well as toxic contamination, exceed temporal, geographical and intergenerational scales. Second, Chapter III tackles the dimension of gender to reveal that the origin of-and methods used to gather-scientific evidence mediate the demographics recognized as victims of toxic pollution. Recognition of victimhood is also mediated by the ingrained gendered power relations within the environmental justice organizations. Third, Chapter IV leaps to a global analysis and identifies global trends in conflicts where effects to human health have been reported as a result of exposure to toxic pollution. We see different and clear trends; therefore, I argue that these conflicts, what I call 'environmental health conflicts', require a more nuanced framework to tackle their complexity and differences. One of these trends, for instance, is the key role of working-class communities as mobilizing groups; they are actors, however, who are almost forgotten by scholars in environmental conflicts. Whereas Chapter III delves into ethnographic methods grounded in the case of banana farmworkers claiming reparations for health damages caused by the pesticide Dibromocloropropane (DBCP) in Nicaragua, Chapter II builds on 95 environmental conflicts in Central America, and Chapter IV uses a total of 3033 cases worldwide for analysis. For the last two chapters, I draw on data from the Environmental Justice Atlas (EJAtlas), the largest global sample available on environmental conflicts today. In summary, this thesis offers theoretical contributions and highlights methodological implications to the study of environmental conflicts, environmental justice and political ecology. It advances what we understand as violence. It provides critical lenses to address de-gendered power relations within environmental justice organisations and aims at building knowledge on a major and global issue that, although urgent, receives less attention in the global environmental agenda: the issue of an increasingly chemical-intensive agrarian and industrial world

Sardinal, alivio temporal: culturas de agua y conflictos socioambientales por el crecimiento de la industria turística en Costa Rica.

La creciente demanda de agua dulce para satisfacer las necesidades del turismo costero en la provincia de Guanacaste ha promovido la explotación de acuíferos cada vez más alejados, afectando así el abastecimiento de comunidades no costeras. En el presente trabajo de investigación analizo el caso de un conflicto socioambiental detonado por la ampliación del acueducto Coco-Ocotal-Sardinal en donde una comunidad se vio amenazada con la construcción de un acueducto que direccionaría agua del acuífero Sardinal hacia la zona costera del Coco y Ocotal. Esto, sin tener conocimiento sobre el balance hídrico ni realizar los procesos de participación e información requeridos. Consecuentemente, la comunidad de Sardinal se organizó y logró paralizar la construcción en el 2010 y así demostrar la ilegalidad en los procedimientos realizados por parte del Estado costarricense y del sector inversionista turístico privado