Decolonizing Energy Transition in the Global South
Introduction
Extractivism, in which natural resources are extracted for the benefit of a few at the expense of local communities and the environment, defines the current energy system in the Global South. A resource curse, land grab, and population displacement are just some of the social and environmental injustices that have persisted as a result of this in many countries. In addition, fossil fuels are central to the Global South’s energy system, exacerbating global greenhouse gas emissions and the climate crisis.
Many people in the Global South believe that switching to renewable energy sources is essential to overcoming these obstacles and achieving sustainable, equitable growth. However, the traditional method of energy transition relies on top-down, centralized solutions that continue extractive and colonial practices that worsen existing social and environmental inequalities. To solve this problem, we need an energy transition strategy that is both decolonizing and democratic.
In this piece, we look at energy democracy and how it can play a role in decolonizing energy transition in the Global South. It begins with a review of the current energy system’s historical and political roots, tracing them back to the historical and political context of extractive and colonialism in the Global South. We then delve into energy democracy’s theoretical underpinnings, practical applications, and the opportunities and challenges associated with implementing it in the context of the Global South. Energy democracy, we argue, is not just a technical answer to the problem of the energy transition but a political and social project that necessitates a radical alteration of existing patterns of power and social organization. In final section, this piece emphasizes energy democracy’s potential to help make the Global South’s future more equitable and sustainable.
Extractivism, Colonialism, and The Global South
The term “extractivism” describes the practice of exploiting natural resources for the benefit of a small elite (an “oligarch”) at the expense of broader society and the environment. During the colonial era, European powers established extractive economies in the Global South based on exploiting natural resources like minerals, timber, and agricultural commodities. Many countries in the Global South have fallen into a pattern of resource dependence, unequal distribution of wealth, and environmental degradation because of the colonial legacy that has persisted in shaping their economic and political systems.
This history of extractivism and colonialism has also shaped the present-day energy infrastructure of the Global South. Foreign corporations and governments have exploited natural resources such as oil, gas, coal, and minerals in many countries in the Global South. This has resulted in a resource curse, where natural resource wealth has not translated into economic growth or social prosperity but has contributed to greater inequality and armed conflict.
One fundamental problem is the control of the energy sector by large corporations and governments that have a vested interest in maintaining the current quo. Historically, the power structure has favored multinational corporations and governments over local communities. To combat this, groups should work together to push for policies that put local communities’ needs first and challenge entrenched power structures. In Ecuador, for instance, native communities and environmental groups successfully lobbied for a referendum to outlaw mining and drilling in the country’s conservation zones.
The lack of funding and support for community-led energy projects is another difficulty. To solve this problem, we must create funding mechanisms that prioritize community-led projects and include resources for capacity building and technical assistance. The government of Bolivia, for instance, has set up a national fund for community-led energy projects, which supplies funding and technical support to individual neighborhoods.
Moreover, fossil fuels play a central role in the Global South’s energy system, a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and the climate crisis. The reliance on fossil fuels is also a barrier to achieving energy access and ecological sustainability, as many communities in the Global South still lack access to modern energy services.
The Decolonizing and Democratizing Potential of the Global Energy Transition
Energy democracy is a concept that emerged in response to the challenges of the conventional approach to the energy transition. By “energy democracy,” we mean a system in which people in a given area, as opposed to large organizations like utilities or national governments, decide how energy is generated, distributed, and used. Aiming to ensure that energy systems are designed and managed in a way that prioritizes social and environmental justice, energy democracy is founded on the principles of participation, transparency, and accountability.
Decolonizing and democratizing the energy transition in the Global South relies on energy democracy. Reimagining energy systems based on social and environmental justice principles are at the heart of the decolonizing energy transition, which entails combating the extractive and colonial practices that have shaped the present energy system. Guaranteeing local communities ownership of energy infrastructure and a voice in policy decisions is essential to a successful democratic energy transition.
For communities to exercise energy democracy, they must be given the means to assume responsibility for and influence the direction of their local energy infrastructure. Implementing participatory planning processes that engage local communities in energy policy development is one approach, but there are many others, such as creating community-owned renewable energy projects or energy cooperatives. Energy sovereignty, which is the right of communities to control their energy resources and determine their energy futures, must also be recognized and defended if energy democracy is to succeed.
Initiatives for Energy Democracy in the Global South
Despite these obstacles, there are many examples of successful energy democracy initiatives in developing countries in the Global South. For instance, Brazil’s Landless Workers’ Movement (MST) has established a network of community-owned wind and solar energy projects. These projects provide access to energy for rural communities and support the growth of the local economy. Rural women in India have received training at Barefoot College to become solar engineers. This training has equipped these women with the knowledge and skills to develop and maintain their renewable energy systems. In South Africa, the Khanyisa Coal-to-Power project has been replaced with community-owned renewable energy projects. This change has enabled previously underserved communities to access the energy supply and has supported the expansion of the local economy.
Toward a Path to Democratizing Energy
One of the key strategies for achieving this shift is to promote community ownership and control of energy resources. This can involve supporting community-led energy projects that prioritize the needs of local communities and ensure that decision-making processes are transparent and participatory. For example, in Brazil, the Landless Workers’ Movement has established a network of community-led renewable energy projects that provide energy to over 300,000 people. These projects are owned and controlled by local communities and prioritize the needs of marginalized communities.
Another essential strategy is to address the structural inequalities that have shaped the global energy system. This can involve addressing issues such as land ownership, gender inequality, and racism. For example, in many countries in the Global South, women are disproportionately affected by energy poverty and lack access to energy resources. To address this, it is crucial to promote gender-sensitive policies prioritizing women’s needs and ensuring equal access to energy resources and decision-making processes.
In addition to promoting community ownership and addressing systemic inequalities, it is vital to challenge existing power structures in the energy sector. This can involve advocating for policies that promote social and environmental justice and challenging the existing power structures that multinational corporations and governments dominate. For example, in India, the Energy Swaraj movement advocates for a decentralized energy system that prioritizes the needs of local communities and challenges the dominance of large corporations.
Building international solidarity is another critical strategy for achieving a radical shift towards energy democracy in the Global South. This involves working together across communities and countries to share knowledge and resources and advocate for global policies that promote social and environmental justice. For example, the Global Alliance for Energy Access is a coalition of civil society organizations, businesses, and governments working towards universal energy access and a transition towards renewable energy.
Ultimately, achieving energy democracy will require various actors’ long-term and sustained effort. It will require a fundamental transformation of power relations and social institutions and a commitment to social and environmental justice. By prioritizing community ownership, participatory decision-making, and social and environmental justice, energy democracy offers a path toward a more just and sustainable energy future for communities in the Global South and beyond.
Democratizing Energy and the Question of Global South Decolonization
The achievement of energy democracy is a crucial step toward decolonizing energy, but it does not necessarily mean that decolonization has been fully achieved. While energy democracy seeks to democratize decision-making and ensure that communities have greater control over their energy resources, it does not necessarily address the deeper historical and structural inequalities that have shaped the energy sector.
To fully decolonize the energy sector, it is essential to acknowledge and address the legacy of colonialism and imperialism that has shaped the global energy system. This legacy has included the exploitation of natural resources, the displacement of indigenous and marginalized communities, and the imposition of energy systems that prioritize the interests of large corporations and governments over the needs of communities.
Achieving energy democracy can be essential to address these issues, but it is insufficient. For example, while community-owned energy projects can help to promote energy democracy, they may still rely on the same infrastructure and systems that have historically disadvantaged marginalized communities. In addition, promoting renewable energy can be an essential step towards achieving energy democracy, but it can also perpetuate existing power structures if large corporations or governments dominate it.
Addressing these structural issues and working towards a more equitable and just energy system is essential to decolonize the energy sector fully. This can involve a range of strategies, such as (1) redistributing power and resources. To address the historical legacy of colonialism and imperialism, it is essential to redistribute power and resources in the energy sector. This can involve repatriating land and resources to indigenous and marginalized communities, ensuring that decision-making processes are transparent and participatory, and promoting community ownership of energy projects; (2) Challenging existing power structures. Achieving energy democracy requires challenging existing power structures in the energy sector.
Conclusion
In the face of the global climate crisis and the continued exploitation of natural resources, energy democracy has emerged as a powerful and transformative vision for a more just and equitable energy system. Although there are significant challenges to achieving energy democracy in the Global South, there are also many reasons for optimism.
The growing movement towards community-led energy projects, the increasing recognition of the importance of addressing systemic inequalities, and the emergence of global coalitions and alliances all point towards a future where energy democracy is not only possible but achievable.
By prioritizing the needs of communities, promoting transparency and accountability in decision-making processes, and challenging existing power structures, we can create a more just and equitable energy system that benefits everyone. This shift towards energy democracy has the potential to transform the global energy system, reducing inequality and promoting social and environmental justice.
As we look to the future, it is essential to remember that achieving energy democracy is a moral and practical necessity. The continued exploitation of natural resources and the concentration of power in the hands of a few has led to widespread environmental destruction, social inequality, and political instability.
By embracing the concept of energy democracy and working together towards a more just and equitable energy system, we can create a brighter and more sustainable future for all. While the road ahead may be extended and challenging, the growing global movement towards energy democracy gives us the reason for optimism that we can achieve this transformative vision together.
