Just Transition Debates in Europe and Colombia

Last year, the governments of Germany and Colombia agreed on an energy partnership. German government representatives promise benefits for both sides, Colombian President Gustavo Petro speaks of a partnership at eye level. The focus of the cooperation is the region of La Guajira, so far mainly known for El Cerrejón, one of the largest coal mines on the continent. In the future, the "hydrogen capital of South America" will be built here and the region will become the country's most important producer of renewable energies through wind power.

The need to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy generation in the face of the ongoing climate crisis is a consensus in many parts of the world. And at least on a rhetorical level, there seems to be a consensus that the necessary transformations must be implemented fairly and on an equal footing between the partners in the Global South and the Global North. In practice, however, there are many contradictions: While in Germany and Europe the energy transition is often instrumentalised for a "continue-so" with a green coat of paint in order to secure new investment opportunities for German and European companies, municipalities, activists and, in some cases, government representatives in Latin America are calling for a departure from colonial practices and the implementation of a "just turn" for all.

There are also voices in La Guajira that are critical of the expansion of wind power in the region in view of the devastating consequences of coal mining. They make demands on the Colombian government, but also on European companies and decision-makers. These range from a complete rejection of large-scale production of energy by solar or wind power, to the demand for a fair share of profits, the creation of jobs and infrastructure, and higher local added value through renewable energy projects.

Given the urgency on the one hand and the global balance of power as well as the different degrees of concern on the other hand, there are no easy answers to the question of what a just energy transition should look like. However, there is an urgent need to develop possible perspectives. For this, it is important to hear the progressive and emancipatory voices that formulate concrete proposals from below that involve everyone. It remains essential to change and ultimately overcome the destructive ways of life and consumption of the Global North.

We want to talk to our guests about the many challenges and discuss some possible answers.

The event will take place on the occasion of the publication of the dossier ‘The same in green. Energy transition from above and perspectives from below”, issued jointly with the Latin America news and the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.

With:
Bettina Müller, Trade and Investment Policy Officer at Powershift e.V. She works, among other things, on the strategies of the European Commission, which is currently driving a "green" transformation in the interest of European companies.

Gina Cortés Valderrama, Activist and Policy Officer for Gender, Climate & Economic Justice at the UNFCCC Women and Gender Constituency. She works on concepts of what a feminist, anti-racist and decolonial Just Transition could look like in the field of the energy transition.

Fabian Grieger, journalist with a focus on Colombia and reporter at rbb24 Recherche. He has researched the energy transition in Colombia and was also in La Guajira.

Moderation: Steffi Aquarius, FDCL

The event will be held in Spanish and German. Simultaneous interpretation is offered.