This is a case study that profiles the best practices for sustainable development, indigenous human rights, and conflict resolution, providing original insights into Latin American environmental and development politics. "Conflict Resolution of the Boruca Hydro-Energy Project" is a case study that aims to profile best practices for sustainable development, indigenous human rights, and conflict resolution. In 2003, a joint project was developed between the United Nations University of Peace and the International Peace and Conflict Resolution program at Arcadia University to study the Boruca hydroelectrical conflict in Costa Rica. The aim was to bring together theory and practice and to reveal the link between peace and conflict resolution and sustainable development. Through partnerships with the Kan Tan Ecological Project and the indigenous communities in the region, and field studies to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and local Civil Society Organizations, faculty and students utilized the mediation framework to identify the needs and interests of the primary conflict stakeholders. "Conflict Resolution of the Boruca Hydro-Energy Project" represents the culmination of this fieldwork and tests the mediation framework as suitable model for the resolution of environmental conflicts in Latin America. "Conflict Resolution of the Boruca Hydro-Energy Project" follows these conflicts and the process by which the government-owned utility tried to find common ground between all stakeholders. Ultimately, it tests the mediation framework as an appropriate approach to the resolution of development conflicts, exploring the transferability of this approach to other countries in Latin America.
Author(s): Jurgen Carls, Warren Haffar
Year: 2010
Language: English
Pages: 240
Contents......Page 6
Preface......Page 12
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations......Page 14
The Boruca Project as Case Study......Page 18
Analysis of the Systems, Institutions and Actors of the Region......Page 20
Assessment of the Attitudes and Actions of Primary Actors......Page 22
General Observations......Page 23
Traditional Approaches to Development: Theory and Practice......Page 25
Rethinking Project Design using Mediation and Conflict Resolution......Page 29
Current Situation in Latin America......Page 32
Plan Puebla Panamá and Future Economic Integration at the Regional Scale......Page 36
Conclusion......Page 38
Analysis of the Energy Sector in Costa Rica......Page 39
Policy Setting......Page 42
Legal Landscape......Page 44
The 2005 Generation Plan......Page 46
History of the Project......Page 50
Legal Framework and Policies......Page 54
Electricity Policy......Page 60
Communication, Trust, and Coordination within the Electricity Sector......Page 61
Funding Mechanisms......Page 63
Human Rights......Page 64
International Law and Human Rights......Page 65
The Right to Development......Page 66
Rights Related to Resettlement and Land......Page 68
Property Rights......Page 70
The Right to Self-Determination......Page 72
Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights......Page 73
Environmental Rights for Peoples......Page 75
National Laws and Human Rights Violations......Page 76
Conclusion......Page 77
Stakeholders......Page 78
Boruca Hydroelectric Dam Project Stakeholder Participation......Page 82
Involvement of Institutions......Page 90
Plan Puebla Panamá......Page 92
Conclusions......Page 93
Sociocultural and Economic Aspects......Page 94
Biophysical Characteristics of the Térraba Watershed......Page 106
Downstream Ecological Impacts......Page 111
Impacts of Flooding the Reservoir......Page 112
Impacts on Watershed Management......Page 113
Mitigation......Page 114
Large-Scale Hydroelectric Power Plants......Page 115
Violence and Conflict Resolution......Page 116
Resistance from Local Communities......Page 117
Resistance from International and Domestic Law......Page 118
Conflict Resolution......Page 120
Conclusions about the Boruca Dam......Page 121
Project El Diquís......Page 130
Implications for the Road Infrastructure......Page 132
Implications for the Térraba–Sierpe Wetland......Page 133
Implications for Productive Activities......Page 134
Implications for the Management of the Watershed......Page 135
Control of the Flooding in the Lower Parts of the Watershed......Page 136
Perspectives......Page 137
Demand Management and Efficiency......Page 144
Wind Power......Page 147
Biomass......Page 148
Geothermal......Page 149
Solar......Page 150
Hydropower......Page 151
Economic Sustainability......Page 152
Renewable Energy is Cost Competitive......Page 155
Green Power: A Business Opportunity for Costa Rica......Page 156
Full Cost Accounting......Page 157
Carbon Financing......Page 159
The Need for Greater Adherence to Good Practices......Page 161
Institution Building......Page 163
Overcoming Barriers to the Implementation of the Sustainable Power Projects in Costa Rica......Page 164
Legislative Limitations to Renewable Energy Projects......Page 165
Improving National Policy for Indigenous Rights......Page 166
National Level Strategic Commitment to Alternative Energy......Page 168
Institutional Coordination......Page 170
Participation of Stakeholders......Page 172
Identifying Dividers and the Connectors......Page 173
Indigenous Peoples of Costa Rica......Page 176
The Institutions and Systems Involved......Page 179
Public Understanding and Participation......Page 182
Consultation/Mediation and Conflict Resolution......Page 183
Monitoring and Evaluation......Page 185
Dividers and Tension Builders......Page 186
Connectors and Local Capacities for Peace (LCP)......Page 189
Social Organization......Page 200
Action Plan for Linking Indigenous Groups to State Influence......Page 202
Training and Job Creation......Page 203
Potential Projects for the Indigenous Reserves......Page 204
Action Plan......Page 205
Regional Development of the Indigenous Reserves......Page 206
Quality of Life Improvement for the Indigenous Peoples (PNDPI 2002)......Page 208
An Aid Program for the Boruca Region......Page 210
Energy Needs and Production Are Increasing in the Region......Page 213
Alternative Energy Options Are Feasible in Costa Rica......Page 214
Regional Indigenous Development Opportunities in the South of Costa Rica Exist......Page 216
Conflict Resolution of the Boruca Hydroelectricity Dam Is Possible......Page 217
Bibliography......Page 220
