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Paper short abstract:

I investigate the drivers of onto-epistemic exclusion of peripheral communities in Colombia's energy transition agenda. It examines how relational and dialectical asymmetries within institutional arrangements and political discourses underpin the agency and political sovereignty of these communities

Paper long abstract:

As global efforts to combat climate change intensify, consensus-driven approaches to decarbonization have become dominant frameworks shaping energy transition policies. However, in countries like Colombia, this approach has marginalized peripheral communities—particularly ethnic and campesino groups—whose livelihoods and ontologies often conflict with state- and market-driven renewable energy initiatives. Drawing on an intersectional and decolonial lens, this research critiques the onto-relational dimensions of policymaking in Colombia’s energy transition. It argues that institutional arrangements and dominant discourses perpetuate epistemic and procedural exclusions, sidelining alternative ways of knowing and living that challenge the technocratic framing of decarbonization.

The study examines how Colombia's institutional architecture reinforces asymmetric power dynamics through policies that prioritize extractive and large-scale renewable projects while undermining community sovereignty and participation. Using a multi-method approach, including institutional analysis, critical discourse analysis, and fieldwork, this research aims to explore how relational and dialectical interactions between competing knowledge systems shape the energy transition discourse. By investigating the intersections of race, class, gender, and historical memory, it reveals the deep entanglement of epistemic exclusion with broader questions of justice, equity, and political sovereignty.

Ultimately, this study seeks to illuminate the possibilities for a more inclusive energy transition, grounded in the recognition of relational ontologies and the lived experiences of peripheral communities. By challenging state-centric and technocratic narratives, it contributes to broader debates on environmental and epistemic justice, offering pathways toward more equitable and transformative climate action in Colombia and beyond.