Ecological Distribution Conflicts and Environmental Advocacy Isabelle Anguelovski, ICTA Summer School July, 11, 2012

Transnational Advocacy Networks (TAN) Growth of global civil society and transnational NGOs in the 1990s (Kaldor 2003) (Bandy and Smith 2004) Characteristics (Della Porta and Ruchts, 2002) Flexible Identities Rooted Cosmopolitanism Multiple Belongings Actors bound by shared values, common discourses, and dense exchanges (keck and Sikkink 1998)

Role & Targets of Transnational Networks Influence policy making Promote new norms Influence negotiations and the behavior of firms and states Produce new accountabilities (Pellow 2011) Disrupt social relations producing env. inequities (Pellow, 2011) Disseminate ecological sensitivity Empower local communities Articulate new visions for institutions and society (Pellow 2011)

Conditions for Emergence of Networks Presence of INGOs and of well organized national mvt Pres. of well organized foreign mvt allies Pre-existing similarities among mvts of diff nations Capacity for regular communication between national mvts Gvt or corporate institutions open to change Economic conditions conductive to mvt resource building Absence of internal pol conflict, such as war

Weaknesses of Network Structures Governance challenges: Decision making as network grows Asymmetries, accountability, transparency and internal democracy Representation of the voice of the poor Identity issues: Partnerships with faith organizations, unions, indigenous groups, people of color, etc.

A Range of Possible NGO Proposed Solutions for Addressing Environmental Conflicts

Increasing social metabolism pushed by economic & pop growth - High Extraction at Frontiers - Low EROI - High virtual water - High HANPP - High endo/exo energy use ratio Different valuation of land and natural resources Increase of Injustices and Ecological Distribution Conflicts (extraction, plantation, infrastructure, waste) New Accounting Methods (Material & Energy Flow Accounting, HANPP, virtual water) Multi-criteria valuation Higher standards for IFI borrowing and approval Increase of labor price and materials New terms of trade EJ Organizing to achieve ecological sustainability Not: Sustainable development, Ecological Modernization, Eco Efficiency, or Internalization of externalities CAUSES PROPOSED SOLUTIONS

Social Movement Strategies and Tactics Direct action: shaming, lawsuits, denunciations (Bandy and Smith 2004) (Pellow 2007) Pressure for government oversight (Green 1999) Collaborative approaches and multi- stakeholder consensus building (Susskind and Macey 2004) Corporate Social Responsibility schemes (Garvey and Newell 2005) Co-production of knowledge (Corburn, 2005)

Core Concepts

Transnational Advocacy Networks: Actors working internationally on an issue who are bound together by shared values, common discourse, and dense exchange of information and services. Boomerang Effect (Keck and Sikkink): Local communities mobilizing their networks of international partners who then put pressure on the corrupt or weak government through pressure on their own country government Strategic Repertoire: Direct action (protest, demonstrations, boycotts, denunciations, shaming, strikes, etc) and institutional means (lobbying, public hearings, campaigns, testimonies, political pressures during elections, etc) that groups and movements use to advance their goals and objectives.

Epistemic Community: Transnational network of professionals with recognized expertise and competence in a particular domain and an authoritative claim to policy relevant knowledge within that domain or issue-area (Hass)