Displaced by the transition: The political ecology of climate change mitigation, displacements and Lithium extraction in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Decarbonization initiatives depend heavily on the sustainable supply of critical raw materials. Such a high dependency on critical minerals drives their urgent sourcing. However, this urgent extraction of critical minerals for the low-carbon energy transition induces severe social impacts including different types of displacements: i.e physical, cultural and economic. Demand for critical minerals is expected to surge in the coming decades, and so are these displacement trends. Communities located on or nearer to critical minerals deposits are increasingly becoming exposed to these displacements, but there is limited problematization of such forced relocation trends that negatively impact communities, socio-economically and culturally. Detailed case studies of displacements induced by the haste to extract critical minerals are scant. The displacement problem is categorized under the “S” of the ESG risks, and it has not been adequately conceptualized- within the energy transitions field- to understand its full-scale. The “speed” to extract these minerals drives us to rethink mining induced displacement and resettlement (MIDR) by considering how this urgency may protract displacement impacts. Using the political ecology of climate change mitigation framework, this article analyses multidimensional displacements resulting from the accelerated extraction of critical minerals with special reference to the lithium case in Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe, lithium extraction is inducing multidimensional displacements in some regions where it has been discovered. Evidence indicates that these displacements are implemented with no due diligence and in the absence of adequate processes of consultation and consent leaving communities impoverished. The paper provides recommendations for improving the resettlement practices and achieving resettlement with development that improves the lives of affected communities within the energy transition agenda.