Mining coal while digging for justice : Investigating justice claims against a coal-phase out in five countries
Busch, Henner (Lund University. Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Ramasar, Vasna (Lund University. Department of Human Geography)
Avila, Sofía (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Instituto de Investigaciones Sociales)
Roy, Brototi (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
van Ryneveld, Tara (Lund University. Department of Human Geography)
Mandinic, Ana (Lund University. Department of Human Geography)
Brandstedt, Eric (Lund University. Department of History)

Date:	2023
Abstract:	Coal has long been one of the fossil fuels underpinning the energy systems of many countries around the world. Because of its long-standing history, many actors have an interest in retaining the status quo. In this article, we explore the complexities of a coal phase-out in different countries. Drawing on empirical material from Germany, India, Mexico, Serbia and South Africa, we look at the way coal is represented in public debate. We do so by analysing the respective political arguments of key actors about coal phase-out in the chosen countries and analyse their inherent justice claims. Our research illustrates how state institutions, fossil fuel companies and other actors have contributed to framing coal as a formative factor of social relations and as an asset for development. Further, we find that there is considerable overlap of justice claims between global North and global South countries, even though actors from global South countries also invoke global inequalities and historical climate debt. Basedon our results, we argue that policymakers must (a) critically interrogate justice claims and (b) consider injustices created by the status quo to ensure a Just Transition.
Note:	Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-M
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Climate delay ; Coal phase-down ; Coal phase-out ; Germany ; India ; Just transition ; Mexico ; Serbia ; South africa
Published in:	The extractive industries and society, Vol. 15 (September 2023) , art. 101275, ISSN 2214-790X

DOI: 10.1016/j.exis.2023.101275

11 p, 4.4 MB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles