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Paper short abstract:

Using cartographic data and the results of field surveys, our paper aims to analyze the dynamics of land grabbing in eastern Senegal, in a national periphery marked by the industrial gold rush.

Paper long abstract:

In this paper, we propose to analyze the consequences of mining advances in Senegal's territorial margins, in relation to land governance and conservation policies. Long considered a space of spatial reserves, eastern Senegal is increasingly the object of covetousness by foreign investors. Farming areas and nature reserves are under considerable threat from the mining industry. The spatial insertion of open-pit gold mining operations is accompanied by violent protests and environmental indignation. Popular mobilizations against the grabbing of agricultural land and the physical displacement of populations have often resulted in disastrous human and material losses. In the administrative region of Kédougou, the relocation of the village of Sabodala in 2022 took place against a backdrop of tensions with Sabodala Gold Operations (SGO), the multinational mining company. For some time now, the village of Tomboronkoto has been threatened with displacement by the Mako mine. On the ecological front, the conservation crisis has resulted in the removal of the Niokolo Koba National Park from UNESCO's World Heritage List on July 24, 2024.

Through this presentation, we try to show, on the one hand, the impact of new mining frontiers in marginal areas on local livelihoods and the ecological context and, on the other hand, the limits of public policies related to the environment and rural land tenure.

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Paper short abstract:

Why do communities under the same mining project respond differently to resettlement negotiation processes? This paper addresses this puzzle by examining the contrasting responses of two communities to mining-induced displacement and resettlement in Ghana's Ewoyaa Lithium Project.

Paper long abstract:

Why do communities under the same mining project respond differently to resettlement negotiation processes? This paper addresses this puzzle by examining the contrasting responses of two communities to mining-induced displacement and resettlement (MIDR) in Ghana's Ewoyaa Lithium Project. Whilst Ewoyaa's community has demonstrated largely positive consent to relocation, Krampakrom shows significant resistance, despite both communities facing displacement under identical corporate and regulatory frameworks. Employing Hickey's power domains framework, we analyse how varying power dynamics, interests, and ideas across different governance scales shape these divergent institutional outcomes. Through extensive qualitative research, including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation, the study reveals how context-specific power dynamics and governance arrangements critically influence MIDR outcomes in varied ways. The research demonstrates that while Ewoyaa's virtuous cycle of transparent leadership, consistent community engagement, and deep cultural instruments has successfully built community trust and meaningful participation, Krampakrom's vicious cycle of autocratic leadership, poor communication channels, and coercive tactics has produced profound community alienation and systematic disempowerment. The study makes two significant contributions to the field: firstly, it substantially advances theoretical understanding of how community particularities and mining domain power dynamics interact to shape institutional outcomes; secondly, it provides valuable early insights into how transition mineral governance is fundamentally transforming MIDR negotiations across Sub-Saharan Africa. We argue that successful resettlement negotiations require careful attention to local power dynamics and governance arrangements rather than simply following standardised international protocols. These insights are particularly crucial as the global energy transition drives increased demand for transition minerals.

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Paper short abstract:

An investigation of ongoing resettlement effort by Atlantic Lithium in Ghana. The firm's approach provides inadequate cash compensation against explicit preference for land-based resettlement with potential to impoverish farmers, questioning the "justness" of energy transition fueling lithium mining

Paper long abstract:

The discovery of lithium in Ghana in 2017 has brought international attention to the country and raised yet another hope of soon to emerge economic pole that will contribute to economic transformation and sustainable development. Subsequently, the Government of Ghana has approved its maiden ‘green minerals’ policy and signed a 15yr lease agreement with an Australian company. The establishment of the lithium mine requires resettlement of inhabitants, raised concerns about the approach in resettling affected inhabitants. Key question that begs for answer and provided guidance for this study is whether Ghana’s premier lithium mine will also impoverish farmers. The study investigated ongoing resettlement efforts by Atlantic Lithium with view of establishing if the lithium mine-induced resettlement will impoverish farmers.

Using qualitative analytical methods and primary data obtained through interviews and focused group discussion, it was found that Atlantic Lithium’s resettlement approach is consistent with precedents in gold mining sites where mining companies provide inadequate cash compensation for farms against explicit farmer preference for land-based resettlement to enable affected farmers continue with their farming activities. This approach has the potential of worsening the plights of affected farmers within a few years of time and perpetuating an injustice and exposing an unjust extraction of so-called green minerals, questioning the “justness” of energy transition that is fueling extraction of green minerals. The paper recommends that the government ensures that some amount of land for farming is included in the compensation package for farms that must be destroyed to pave way for the mine.

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Paper short abstract:

In the context of Ghana's Ewoyaa Lithium Project, this study investigates community views on fairness in crucial mineral governance. It explores how distributive, procedural, recognition, and restorative justice attitudes can influence laws pertaining to fair and sustainable mineral extraction.

Paper long abstract:

The demand for vital minerals like lithium, which are necessary to forward energy transition agendas, has increased due to the global move toward renewable energy. But the management of important mineral extraction frequently generates questions about justice, especially for the local communities that live close to mining enclaves. Through the viewpoints of the communities affected by Ghana's Ewoyaa Lithium Project, this study investigates fairness in crucial mineral governance. It aims to answer two important questions: (1) What is the perception of fairness in key mineral governance among mining communities? (2) How might these attitudes influence the formulation of policies?

Procedural justice (inclusive and transparent decision-making), distributive justice (fair sharing of benefits and burdens), recognition justice (respect for community identities and values), and restorative justice (addressing historical and environmental harms) are the four dimensions of justice that are the focus of this study, which is based on the idea of justice within the energy transition agenda. Through qualitative techniques, such as focus groups and interviews with community members and important stakeholders, the study seeks to understand how justice is perceived and expressed locally.

The results will provide important light on how community perceptions influence fair and long-term policy decisions for crucial resource governance. This study emphasizes the significance of inclusive governance structures that give fairness, transparency, and the rights of impacted communities first priority by bridging the gap between global energy transition priorities and local socio-environmental justice.

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Paper short abstract:

Externalizing the costs of the global green transition: The paradox of mineral wealth and resource grabs in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo

Paper long abstract:

This paper highlights the negative social and environmental outcomes of the unfolding reconfiguration of global capitalism symbolized by electrification, robotization and artificial intelligence. These ‘green’ transformations signify an epochal shift of fossil fuel-based industrialization to electrification which has intensified the need to secure ‘critical minerals’ for the industrialization of the West and China. Dominant narratives of a just energy transition have a legitimizing effect to the ongoing violent removals of people from resource rich lands in remote regions of Africa. These removals are a precursor to land and resource grabs justified by the logic of neo-liberal Foreign Direct Investments promoted by resource rich but poor African countries. The disastrous consequences of this green extractivism implicates Western governments, China and African governments who have promoted the expropriation indigenous lands for the benefit of a changing global capitalist landscape towards green profitability.

The paper is based on a review of relevant literature, preliminary fieldwork in the Zambia and DRC Copperbelt and in Zimbabwe’s lithium rich Goromonzi and Mberngwa rural areas.

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Paper short abstract:

This paper explores how traditional customs governed land acquisition, including transfers within kinship lines or to outsiders, the documentation processes for such transfers, potential conflicts arising from these practices, and traditional mechanisms for resolving disputes effectively.

Paper long abstract:

The transition to renewable energy presents unique challenges in countries like Cameroon, where customary land tenure systems significantly influence land governance. This study examines the impact of customary laws on land acquisition processes for renewable energy projects, focusing specifically on pilot and planned solar energy installations. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study analyzes existing agreements, land deeds, and contracts to evaluate how well customary land rights are recognized or overlooked during project planning and implementation. Interviews with traditional leaders, local communities, government officials, and private developers provide insights into negotiation dynamics and stakeholder perceptions. The findings reveal critical gaps in integrating customary land rights into formal land acquisition processes, which can lead to conflicts, delays, and community resistance. The study also identifies opportunities to leverage traditional governance systems to promote inclusive and sustainable renewable energy development. It proposes policy recommendations aimed at harmonizing customary and statutory land governance, with a focus on equitable benefit-sharing, transparent negotiations, and effective conflict-resolution mechanisms. By addressing these challenges, this study aims to contribute to the creation of a just and context-sensitive framework for renewable energy expansion in Cameroon, ensuring that the voices of traditional landowners and local communities are heard and represented in the green energy transition.

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Paper short abstract:

To examine the political economy of mini-grid adoption in Ghana, highlighting the role of policy decisions, power dynamics, and stakeholder interests in stalling deployment. It argues for a political economy lens to address challenges and advance sustainable energy access across the Global South

Paper long abstract:

Renewable energy mini-grids are increasingly viewed as catalysts for universal electricity access, particularly in remote and rural areas. Despite their potential to electrify underserved communities, their adoption in most African countries remains limited. Existing studies often attribute this stagnation to technocratic barriers, such as inadequate state support, off-taker risks, insufficient funding, and technology challenges. While these factors are relevant, emerging scholarship highlights the need for a political economy analysis to better explain the slow transition to cleaner energy, including mini-grid implementation. This paper examines the political economy of mini-grid adoption in Ghana, where an estimated 2.4 million rural residents lack electricity access despite the potential for mini-grids to address this gap. Drawing on elite interviews with policymakers, private sector actors, civil society, and donors, alongside documentary analysis, the study explores how mini-grids evolved, the actors involved, and the political, institutional, and socio-economic factors influencing their deployment. The findings reveal how policy decisions, power dynamics, informal networks, traditional land tenure systems, and elite bargains undermine mini-grid initiatives. Competing priorities between energy policy and rural development agendas also contribute to the challenges. The paper argues that a political economy lens is critical to addressing these barriers and provides actionable insights for advancing mini-grids as part of a broader push for sustainable energy access in the Global South. It further emphasizes the intersection of green energy transitions, community sovereignty, and climate-compatible development in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Paper short abstract:

Africa balances opportunity and challenges in pursing green development, navigating complex trade-offs between power generation, land use, and clean energy adoption to achieve economic growth, energy access and environmental preservation.

Paper long abstract:

Africa stands at the crossroads of immense opportunity and profound challenges in its quest for sustainable development. Energy lies at the core of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), playing a vital role in improving human lives and driving economic development. However, electricity access remains a significant global challenge. In many African nations, including Nigeria, unstable electricity from government grid extensions compels individuals and companies to seek alternative solutions, such as standalone photovoltaic systems, mini-grids, and micro grids. While these initiatives promote clean energy adoption, they compete with other pressing land-use needs, especially in regions grappling with overpopulation and complex land acquisition reforms. While the continent is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, the paradox of green development persists: how to balance the urgent need for economic growth, energy access, and environmental preservation. This paper explores the intricate nexus of power generation, land use, and clean energy adoption in Africa, highlighting the socio-economic and environmental trade-offs inherent in transitioning to green energy systems. It examines the dual realities of energy poverty, with over 530 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa projected to lack electricity by 2030, and the global push for climate resilience under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, the research delves into land-use conflicts stemming from large-scale renewable energy projects, agricultural demands, and urban expansion. Through case studies and geospatial analysis, this study proposes innovative, context-sensitive solutions that leverage decentralized energy systems, sustainable land management practices, and inclusive policy frameworks.

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Paper short abstract:

This study explores the intersection of land tenure and critical mineral extraction in Zambia, examining the implications for governance, local communities, and mining investments. It addresses policy gaps, land rights conflicts, and benefit-sharing mechanisms to inform policy recommendations.

Paper long abstract:

The research paper explores the intersection of land rights and critical mineral governance in Zambia, a country rich in mineral resources yet facing challenges in land tenure systems. The transition to renewable energy requires large-scale extraction of critical minerals, but the land on which these resources are found often has competing economic, cultural, and environmental values. Zambia’s land governance framework is characterized by a blend of customary and statutory systems, creating complexities in land acquisition for mining activities. Customary land tenure, which covers the majority of land, is governed by traditional chiefs, while statutory land is managed by the state. This dual system leads to legal ambiguities and conflicts, especially when mining encroaches on customary lands. The research aims to understand the practical processes of securing land for mining, identify policy gaps, and assess the impact of land tenure on local communities, including benefit-sharing mechanisms. The project applies a qualitative multi-method approach, including secondary research on policies and laws, and primary research through interviews, dialogue meetings, and focus groups in mining-affected areas. The findings will provide context-rich insights into the political economy of land use, highlighting social, environmental, and economic tensions. Expected outcomes include theoretical contributions to the field, policy recommendations for a just transition, and actionable insights for improving land governance in Zambia's mining sector. This research aligns with the Centre for Environment Justice’s goals of advocating for responsible mining practices and fostering sustainable land-based investments.

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Paper short abstract:

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that over 180 million (more than 80 percent) Nigerians lack access to clean cooking fuels. With a focus on economically disadvantaged populations, the study aims to identify potential obstacles and opportunities for policy improvement.

Paper long abstract:

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that over 180 million (more than 80 percent) Nigerians lack access to clean cooking fuels. Wide-ranging consequences result from this issue mostly caused by unclean cooking methods, affecting public health and deforestation. The National Clean Cooking Policy, which was unveiled in May 2024, offers an opportunity to address these health and environmental issues by pledging to switch to a clean cooking system by 2030. This study employs a mixed-method approach to assess the policy’s early-stage implementation and the perceptions of the public from the lens of economic equity. Through systematic review of the policy documents and qualitative interviews with households in rural Ido local government, the research will evaluate public awareness, acceptance, and attitudes toward the policy. With a focus on economically disadvantaged populations, the study aims to identify potential obstacles and opportunities for policy improvement. Additionally, the findings will be situated within Nigeria's obligations to global environmental frameworks, with recommendations to strengthen multisectoral collaboration.