Unpacking the role of non-state actors' discourses in enhancing climate justice in Uganda's extractive industries

Abstract

The Ugandan government has made progress in developing extractive industries, but its commitment to environmental protection and improving living conditions for rural communities remains inadequate. The impact of extractive industries is increasingly evident, as droughts and poor crop yields threaten food security and local economies. Thus, the advocacy of non-state actors, such as civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, faith-based organisations, and community-based organisations, is essential for promoting climate justice and implementing sustainable, eco-friendly practices in this sector. Thus, the research question is: How have non-state actors' discourses effectively rallied rural communities and government entities to enhance climate justice within extractive industries? Employing a qualitative methodology, the research involved in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with diverse stakeholders in the Albertine Graben. Our findings discovered that for non-state actors, climate justice revolves around three discourses (socio-cultural, ecosystem-based, and policy connectivity). These are interrelated through collaborative governance, which seeks to enhance transparency and accountability within the extractive industries. However, climate injustice remains widespread in the region, highlighting the ongoing failure to achieve climate justice in extractive industries. Therefore, collaborative governance is essential for promoting climate justice and enabling equitable decision-making that addresses the environmental and social disparities caused by extractive industrial activities.