Beyond greenwashing: Prioritizing environmental justice in conflict-affected settings
Abstract Building on recent studies that call for further attention to marginalized communities at the intersection of environment, climate action, and peacebuilding initiatives, this article recommends an environmental justice lens for work in conflict-affected settings. We highlight examples of resistance to environmental action where a justice lens has been missed, amplifying minority voices and perspectives, […]
Nature-Based Solutions and Peace Transitions: The Role of Agricultural Development in Colombia’s Path to Political Stability
Abstract This study examines the role of nature-based solutions (NBS) in post-conflict peacebuilding, with a focus on Colombia’s transition following the 2016 peace accord between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Using environmental security and peace economics frameworks, the research explores how sustainable agricultural development and rural reform contribute to economic […]
Land Conflicts and Resistance: The Social Impact of Large-Scale Renewable Energy Projects
Abstract Large-scale solar energy projects are a cornerstone of global decarbonization efforts, yet they often generate significant social and political resistance. This study examines land conflicts arising from solar park development in India, Kenya, and Mexico, where large-scale installations have led to disputes over land rights, displacement, and environmental concerns. Using field interviews, land tenure […]
Conflict Spillover Effects of Renewable Energy Transition: Cross-Border Tensions and Security Implications
Abstract The shift toward renewable energy is reshaping global power dynamics, creating new security risks and intensifying cross-border conflicts. This study examines how disputes over water resources for hydropower, the cross-border trade of critical minerals, and geopolitical competition for clean energy technologies contribute to regional instability. Focusing on conflicts in the Mekong region, the Sahel, […]
Critical Minerals and Armed Non-State Actors: How Illicit Trade Finances Conflict in the Energy Transition
Abstract As the global shift toward renewable energy accelerates, demand for critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements has surged. However, this transition has inadvertently fueled illicit mineral extraction, providing armed non-state actors with new revenue streams and exacerbating conflicts in resource-rich but fragile states. This study investigates how the energy transition […]