Environmental Justice in the Age of Globalization

Abstract

Globalisation has enabled the economic integration, technological development, trade and international investment, but this has not happened equally across all societies, and, therefore, has not resulted in equal environmental impacts. It aims at examining the differential allocation of environmental benefits, burden and decision-making capacity in a more globalised economy, in this research project titled “Environmental Justice in the Age of Globalization”. It focuses on the socio-economic marginalisation of economically and socially vulnerable communities, as a result of industrialisation, extraction of resources, international production networks, climate change, pollution or the creation of large-scale infrastructure. The focus is on the relationship between globalization, environmental inequality, social vulnerability and access to environmental resources. The paper also examines the responsibilities of governments, multinational corporations, international institutions and civil society in the struggle to deal with environmental injustice. The concept of environmental justice is discussed in three ways that are closely linked: distributive justice, procedural justice, and recognitional justice. There are three interconnected aspects of environmental justice – distributive justice, procedural justice and recognitional justice. The study contends that sustainable development can only be accomplished through a combination of the two, economic globalization and environmental protection and social equity, if it is to be accomplished at all. Effective environmental governance, an inclusive participatory process, greater corporate accountability, climate justice and equitable access to natural resources are key to building more sustainable and equitable global development paths. The paper suggests that environmental justice should be considered more than an environmental issue, but as an integral part of sustainable development, human rights and global economic governance.