Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Journal of Business Ethics 3/2021

15.10.2019 | Original Paper

Contentious Dynamics Within the Social Turbulence of Environmental (In)justice Surrounding Wind Energy Farms in Oaxaca, Mexico

verfasst von: Jacobo Ramirez

Erschienen in: Journal of Business Ethics | Ausgabe 3/2021

Einloggen

Aktivieren Sie unsere intelligente Suche um passende Fachinhalte oder Patente zu finden.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

Businesses and governments in postcolonial countries frame investments in wind energy as efforts to address climate change and sustainable development. However, when wind energy projects encroach on indigenous peoples’ lives and land, there is often a lack of recognition and participation of these peoples and an unequal distribution of cost and benefits of such projects toward them, which leads to opposition against wind energy projects and often triggers conflicts for justice. Worryingly, such conditions have repeatedly resulted in the assassination of human rights defenders, which further inflames the conflict. Herein, I discuss these concepts based on a longitudinal study centered on a wind energy project in Oaxaca, Mexico, with the aim of exploring and understanding the conditions under which wind energy investments fail to respect current laws and norms, as well as the consequences of such negligence. My in-depth analysis of the actions of the government, businesses, and indigenous peoples revealed a phenomenon that is less discussed in environmental (in)justice research: the gradual and continuous transformation of indigenous peoples’ norms and behaviors away from their traditional economic and cultural livelihoods. This phenomenon helps to extend the conceptual understanding of environmental (in)justice with regard to social turbulence, which is defined as the unpredictable behavior of political and social systems in contexts in which existing laws, regulations, and norms regarding environmental justice are not observed. The concept of social turbulence of environmental (in)justice helps to explain how indigenous peoples sacrifice their territories, norms, and traditions to a technical solution to climate change and sustainable development.

Sie haben noch keine Lizenz? Dann Informieren Sie sich jetzt über unsere Produkte:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Altamirano-Jiménez, I. (2017). “The sea is our bread”: Interrupting green neoliberalism in Mexico. Marine Policy, 80, 28–34.CrossRef Altamirano-Jiménez, I. (2017). “The sea is our bread”: Interrupting green neoliberalism in Mexico. Marine Policy, 80, 28–34.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Avila, S. (2018). Environmental justice and the expanding geography of wind power conflicts. Sustainability Science, 13(3), 599–616.CrossRef Avila, S. (2018). Environmental justice and the expanding geography of wind power conflicts. Sustainability Science, 13(3), 599–616.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Avila-Calero, S. (2017). Contesting energy transitions: Wind power and conflicts in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Journal of Political Ecology, 24(1), 992–1012.CrossRef Avila-Calero, S. (2017). Contesting energy transitions: Wind power and conflicts in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Journal of Political Ecology, 24(1), 992–1012.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Calvano, L. (2008). Multinational corporations and local communities: A critical analysis of conflict. Journal of Business Ethics, 82(4), 793–805.CrossRef Calvano, L. (2008). Multinational corporations and local communities: A critical analysis of conflict. Journal of Business Ethics, 82(4), 793–805.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Campbell, H., Binford, L., Bartolomé, M., & Barabas, A. (1993). Zapotec struggles—Histories, politics, and representations from Juchitán, Oaxaca. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. Campbell, H., Binford, L., Bartolomé, M., & Barabas, A. (1993). Zapotec struggles—Histories, politics, and representations from Juchitán, Oaxaca. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Campbell, H., & Green, S. (1996). A history of representations of Isthmus Zapotec women. Identities, 3(1–2), 155–182.CrossRef Campbell, H., & Green, S. (1996). A history of representations of Isthmus Zapotec women. Identities, 3(1–2), 155–182.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Del Bene, D., Scheidel, A., & Temper, L. (2018). More dams, more violence? A global analysis on resistances and repression around conflictive dams through co-produced knowledge. Sustainability Science, 13(3), 617–633.CrossRef Del Bene, D., Scheidel, A., & Temper, L. (2018). More dams, more violence? A global analysis on resistances and repression around conflictive dams through co-produced knowledge. Sustainability Science, 13(3), 617–633.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat del Razo, C. (2016). A snapshot of the Mexican clean energy obligations system. Mexican Law Review, 9(1), 81–90.CrossRef del Razo, C. (2016). A snapshot of the Mexican clean energy obligations system. Mexican Law Review, 9(1), 81–90.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Dunlap, A. (2017a). A bureaucratic trap: Free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) and wind energy development in Juchitán, Mexico. Capitalism Nature Socialism, 29(4), 1–21. Dunlap, A. (2017a). A bureaucratic trap: Free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) and wind energy development in Juchitán, Mexico. Capitalism Nature Socialism, 29(4), 1–21.
Zurück zum Zitat Dunlap, A. (2017b). Wind energy: Toward a “sustainable violence” in Oaxaca. NACLA Report on the Americas, 49(4), 483–488.CrossRef Dunlap, A. (2017b). Wind energy: Toward a “sustainable violence” in Oaxaca. NACLA Report on the Americas, 49(4), 483–488.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Dunlap, A. (2018a). Insurrection for land, sea and dignity: Resistance and autonomy against wind energy in Álvaro Obregón, Mexico. Journal of Political Ecology, 25(1), 120–143.CrossRef Dunlap, A. (2018a). Insurrection for land, sea and dignity: Resistance and autonomy against wind energy in Álvaro Obregón, Mexico. Journal of Political Ecology, 25(1), 120–143.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Dunlap, A. (2018b). The ‘solution’ is now the ‘problem’: Wind energy, colonisation and the ‘genocide-ecocide nexus’ in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. The International Journal of Human Rights, 22(4), 550–573.CrossRef Dunlap, A. (2018b). The ‘solution’ is now the ‘problem’: Wind energy, colonisation and the ‘genocide-ecocide nexus’ in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca. The International Journal of Human Rights, 22(4), 550–573.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Dunlap, A. (2018c). Counterinsurgency for wind energy: The Bíi Hioxo Wind Park in Juchitán, Mexico. The Journal of Peasant Studies, 45(3), 630–652.CrossRef Dunlap, A. (2018c). Counterinsurgency for wind energy: The Bíi Hioxo Wind Park in Juchitán, Mexico. The Journal of Peasant Studies, 45(3), 630–652.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Dunlap, A., & Fairhead, J. (2014). The militarisation and marketisation of nature: An alternative lens to ‘climate-conflict’. Geopolitics, 19(4), 937–961.CrossRef Dunlap, A., & Fairhead, J. (2014). The militarisation and marketisation of nature: An alternative lens to ‘climate-conflict’. Geopolitics, 19(4), 937–961.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Elliott, D. L., Schwartz, M., Scott, G., Haymes, S., Heimiller, D., & George, R. (2004). Atlas de recursos eólicos del estado de Oaxaca [The Spanish version of wind energy resource atlas of Oaxaca]. Oak Ridge, CA: Laboratorio Nacional de Energía Renovable.CrossRef Elliott, D. L., Schwartz, M., Scott, G., Haymes, S., Heimiller, D., & George, R. (2004). Atlas de recursos eólicos del estado de Oaxaca [The Spanish version of wind energy resource atlas of Oaxaca]. Oak Ridge, CA: Laboratorio Nacional de Energía Renovable.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Environmental Justice/Environmental Racism. (1991). First national people of color environmental leadership. 17 Principles of environmental justice. Washington, DC: Environmental Justice/Environmental Racism. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from https://www.ejnet.org/ej/principles.pdf. Environmental Justice/Environmental Racism. (1991). First national people of color environmental leadership. 17 Principles of environmental justice. Washington, DC: Environmental Justice/Environmental Racism. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from https://​www.​ejnet.​org/​ej/​principles.​pdf.
Zurück zum Zitat Escobar, A. (1996). Construction nature: Elements for a post-structuralist political ecology. Futures, 28(4), 325–343.CrossRef Escobar, A. (1996). Construction nature: Elements for a post-structuralist political ecology. Futures, 28(4), 325–343.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Gellert, P. K., & Lynch, B. D. (2003). Mega-projects as displacements. International Social Science Journal, 55(175), 15–25.CrossRef Gellert, P. K., & Lynch, B. D. (2003). Mega-projects as displacements. International Social Science Journal, 55(175), 15–25.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Gómez, L. B. (2009). El Mercado de la Energía Eólica en México’ [The wind-energy market in Mexico]. Oficina Económica y Comercial de la Embajada de España en Monterrey [Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain in Monterrey], México. Gómez, L. B. (2009). El Mercado de la Energía Eólica en México’ [The wind-energy market in Mexico]. Oficina Económica y Comercial de la Embajada de España en Monterrey [Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain in Monterrey], México.
Zurück zum Zitat Gonzalez, J. A., & Pérez-Floriano, L. R. (2015). If you can’t take the heat: Cultural beliefs about questionable conduct, stigma, punishment, and withdrawal among Mexican police officers. Organization Studies, 36(5), 665–687.CrossRef Gonzalez, J. A., & Pérez-Floriano, L. R. (2015). If you can’t take the heat: Cultural beliefs about questionable conduct, stigma, punishment, and withdrawal among Mexican police officers. Organization Studies, 36(5), 665–687.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Graff, M., Carley, S., & Pirog, M. (2019). A review of the environmental policy literature from 2014 to 2017 with a closer look at the energy justice field. Policy Studies Journal, 47(S1), S17–S44.CrossRef Graff, M., Carley, S., & Pirog, M. (2019). A review of the environmental policy literature from 2014 to 2017 with a closer look at the energy justice field. Policy Studies Journal, 47(S1), S17–S44.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Hernández, A. L., Cerami, A. D. U., Bartolo, F. R., Hernández, L. L., & Ceballos, X. R. P. (2017). Informe sobre la situación de las personas defensoras de los derechos humanos ambientales en México (2016). Ciudad de México: Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental A.C. (CEMDA). Hernández, A. L., Cerami, A. D. U., Bartolo, F. R., Hernández, L. L., & Ceballos, X. R. P. (2017). Informe sobre la situación de las personas defensoras de los derechos humanos ambientales en México (2016). Ciudad de México: Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental A.C. (CEMDA).
Zurück zum Zitat Inter-American Development Bank, IADB. (2011). Inter-American Development Bank Mexico Marena Renovables Wind Power Project (me-L1107) environmental category: A environmental and social management report (ESMR). Mexico: Inter-American Development Bank. Inter-American Development Bank, IADB. (2011). Inter-American Development Bank Mexico Marena Renovables Wind Power Project (me-L1107) environmental category: A environmental and social management report (ESMR). Mexico: Inter-American Development Bank.
Zurück zum Zitat Jarzabkowski, P., Bednarek, R., & Lê, J. K. (2014). Producing persuasive findings: Demystifying ethnographic textwork in strategy and organization research. Strategic Organization, 12(4), 274–287.CrossRef Jarzabkowski, P., Bednarek, R., & Lê, J. K. (2014). Producing persuasive findings: Demystifying ethnographic textwork in strategy and organization research. Strategic Organization, 12(4), 274–287.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Juárez-Hernández, S., & León, G. (2014). Energía eólica en el istmo de Tehuantepec: Desarrollo, actores y oposición social. Problemas del Desarrollo, 45(178), 139–162. Juárez-Hernández, S., & León, G. (2014). Energía eólica en el istmo de Tehuantepec: Desarrollo, actores y oposición social. Problemas del Desarrollo, 45(178), 139–162.
Zurück zum Zitat Langley, A., & Klag, M. (2017). Being where? Navigating the involvement paradox in qualitative research accounts. Organizational Research Methods, 22(2), 1–24. Langley, A., & Klag, M. (2017). Being where? Navigating the involvement paradox in qualitative research accounts. Organizational Research Methods, 22(2), 1–24.
Zurück zum Zitat Lecuyer, L., White, R. M., Schmook, B., Lemay, V., & Calmé, S. (2018). The construction of feelings of justice in environmental management: An empirical study of multiple biodiversity conflicts in Calakmul, Mexico. Journal of Environmental Management, 213, 363–373.CrossRef Lecuyer, L., White, R. M., Schmook, B., Lemay, V., & Calmé, S. (2018). The construction of feelings of justice in environmental management: An empirical study of multiple biodiversity conflicts in Calakmul, Mexico. Journal of Environmental Management, 213, 363–373.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Maher, R. (2019). Pragmatic community resistance within new indigenous ruralities: Lessons from a failed hydropower dam in Chile. Journal of Rural Studies, 68, 63–74.CrossRef Maher, R. (2019). Pragmatic community resistance within new indigenous ruralities: Lessons from a failed hydropower dam in Chile. Journal of Rural Studies, 68, 63–74.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat McCauley, D., Heffron, R. J., Stephan, H., & Jenkins, K. (2013). Advancing energy justice: The triumvirate of tenets. International Energy Law Review, 32(3), 107–110. McCauley, D., Heffron, R. J., Stephan, H., & Jenkins, K. (2013). Advancing energy justice: The triumvirate of tenets. International Energy Law Review, 32(3), 107–110.
Zurück zum Zitat Mejorada, C. S. (1946). The Writ of Amparo. Mexican procedure to protect human rights. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 243, 107–111.CrossRef Mejorada, C. S. (1946). The Writ of Amparo. Mexican procedure to protect human rights. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 243, 107–111.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Peluso, N. L., & Vandergeest, P. (2011). Political ecologies of war and forests: Counterinsurgencies and the making of national natures. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 101(3), 587–608.CrossRef Peluso, N. L., & Vandergeest, P. (2011). Political ecologies of war and forests: Counterinsurgencies and the making of national natures. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 101(3), 587–608.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Pierpont, N. (2009). Wind turbine syndrome. A report on a natural experiment. Lowell, MA: King Printing. Pierpont, N. (2009). Wind turbine syndrome. A report on a natural experiment. Lowell, MA: King Printing.
Zurück zum Zitat PODER. (2015). Cuarto reporte de la misión de observación sobre el proceso de consulta indígena para la implementación de un proyecto eólico en Juchitán. Oaxaca: Centro De Derechos Humanos. PODER. (2015). Cuarto reporte de la misión de observación sobre el proceso de consulta indígena para la implementación de un proyecto eólico en Juchitán. Oaxaca: Centro De Derechos Humanos.
Zurück zum Zitat Romero, D., Montanyà, J., & Cancela, A. (2017). Behaviour of the wind-turbines under lightning strikes including nonlinear grounding system. Renewable Energy and Power Quality Journal, 1(2), 439–444.CrossRef Romero, D., Montanyà, J., & Cancela, A. (2017). Behaviour of the wind-turbines under lightning strikes including nonlinear grounding system. Renewable Energy and Power Quality Journal, 1(2), 439–444.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Rubin, J. W. (1994). COCEI in Juchitán: Grassroots radicalism and regional history. Journal of Latin American Studies, 26(01), 109–136.CrossRef Rubin, J. W. (1994). COCEI in Juchitán: Grassroots radicalism and regional history. Journal of Latin American Studies, 26(01), 109–136.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Rubin, J. W. (2004). Meanings and mobilizations: A cultural politics approach to social movements and states. Latin American Research Review, 39(3), 106–142.CrossRef Rubin, J. W. (2004). Meanings and mobilizations: A cultural politics approach to social movements and states. Latin American Research Review, 39(3), 106–142.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Schlosberg, D. (2013). Theorising environmental justice: The expanding sphere of a discourse. Environmental Politics, 22(1), 37–55.CrossRef Schlosberg, D. (2013). Theorising environmental justice: The expanding sphere of a discourse. Environmental Politics, 22(1), 37–55.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Sikor, T., & Newell, P. (2014). Globalizing environmental justice? Geoforum, 54, 151–157.CrossRef Sikor, T., & Newell, P. (2014). Globalizing environmental justice? Geoforum, 54, 151–157.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Terwindt, C., & Schliamann, C. (2017). Mexico’s energy: A tale of threats, intimidation, and dispossession of indigenous peoples. In H. Böll (Ed.), Tricky business: Space for civil society in natural resource struggles (pp. 46–51). Berlin: ARNOLD Group Companies. Terwindt, C., & Schliamann, C. (2017). Mexico’s energy: A tale of threats, intimidation, and dispossession of indigenous peoples. In H. Böll (Ed.), Tricky business: Space for civil society in natural resource struggles (pp. 46–51). Berlin: ARNOLD Group Companies.
Zurück zum Zitat Toke, D., Breukers, S., & Wolsink, M. (2008). Wind power deployment outcomes: How can we account for the differences? Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 12(4), 1129–1147.CrossRef Toke, D., Breukers, S., & Wolsink, M. (2008). Wind power deployment outcomes: How can we account for the differences? Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 12(4), 1129–1147.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat United Nations. (2011). Guiding principles on business and human rights. Implementing the United Nations Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework. New York: United Nations. United Nations. (2011). Guiding principles on business and human rights. Implementing the United Nations Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework. New York: United Nations.
Zurück zum Zitat Urkidi, L. (2010). A glocal environmental movement against gold mining: Pascua-Lama in Chile. Ecological Economics, 70(2), 219–227.CrossRef Urkidi, L. (2010). A glocal environmental movement against gold mining: Pascua-Lama in Chile. Ecological Economics, 70(2), 219–227.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Urkidi, L., & Walter, M. (2011). Dimensions of environmental justice in anti-gold mining movements in Latin America. Geoforum, 42(6), 683–695.CrossRef Urkidi, L., & Walter, M. (2011). Dimensions of environmental justice in anti-gold mining movements in Latin America. Geoforum, 42(6), 683–695.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Walker, G., & Bulkeley, H. (2006). Geographies of environmental justice. Geoforum, 37(5), 655–659.CrossRef Walker, G., & Bulkeley, H. (2006). Geographies of environmental justice. Geoforum, 37(5), 655–659.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Zárate-Toledo, E., Patiño, R., & Fraga, J. (2019). Justice, social exclusion and indigenous opposition: A case study of wind energy development on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico. Energy Research and Social Science, 54, 1–11.CrossRef Zárate-Toledo, E., Patiño, R., & Fraga, J. (2019). Justice, social exclusion and indigenous opposition: A case study of wind energy development on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico. Energy Research and Social Science, 54, 1–11.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Zografos, C., & Martínez-Alier, J. (2009). The politics of landscape value: A case study of wind farm conflict in rural Catalonia. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 41(7), 1726–1744.CrossRef Zografos, C., & Martínez-Alier, J. (2009). The politics of landscape value: A case study of wind farm conflict in rural Catalonia. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 41(7), 1726–1744.CrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
Contentious Dynamics Within the Social Turbulence of Environmental (In)justice Surrounding Wind Energy Farms in Oaxaca, Mexico
verfasst von
Jacobo Ramirez
Publikationsdatum
15.10.2019
Verlag
Springer Netherlands
Erschienen in
Journal of Business Ethics / Ausgabe 3/2021
Print ISSN: 0167-4544
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-0697
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04297-3

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 3/2021

Journal of Business Ethics 3/2021 Zur Ausgabe