Cited by 126Extractivism and Socioeconomic IssuesEnvironmental Movements and Political EcologyPolitical Economy and Marxism

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 160 of the 160 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 34 of the 173 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

The political ecologies of "green" extractivism(s): An introduction

Open access
Dunlap, Alexander, Verweijen, Judith, Tornel, Carlos·2024·Journal of Political Ecology

Abstract

What is so-called 'green' extractivism and where did it come from? The introduction to this Special Section examines the origins and implications of the concept, linking it to a long history of exploitation, dispossession and (neo)colonialism under the guise of green-washing notions such as 'sustainable development.' Conducting an in-depth literature review, we first revisit the concept of extractivism, exploring its origins, development and analytical purchase. We link extractivism to 'extra-action,' implying taking more than what is viable for ecosystems and argue for a supply-web oriented, rather than a point of extraction-focused understanding. Subsequently, we examine key theoretical frameworks in political ecology that paved the way to the study of 'green' extractivism, notably Ecological Distribution Conflicts (which we argue could better be labeled Ecological Destruction Conflicts) and green grabbing. Based on this, we discuss the core features of green extractivism, which are twofold: (1) the use of socioecological and climate crises to reinforce existing or generate new markets and profit-generation opportunities; and (2) the mobilization of claims of ecological sustainability and 'carbon neutrality' to legitimize and rationalize extraction. After outlining the Special Section contributions, we end by considering gaps in existing scholarship on green extractivism and suggest ways forward.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This introduction to a *Journal of Political Ecology* Special Section theorizes "green extractivism" as a system of extractive development that harnesses climate and socioecological crises as profit-generating and re-branding opportunities, legitimized through claims of sustainability and "carbon neutrality." The authors conduct an in-depth literature review to trace the concept's origins, link it to ecological distribution conflicts and green grabbing, and propose a supply-web-oriented understanding that distinguishes direct from indirect green extractivism.

Key findings

  • Green extractivism has two distinguishing features: (1) it uses socioecological, weather and climate crises to generate new or reinforce existing "green" markets and profit opportunities; and (2) it mobilizes claims of ecological sustainability, "carbon neutrality" and climate mitigation to legitimize and rationalize extraction.
  • The authors argue classic (Gudynas-style) definitions of extractivism are inadequate because they are nationalist and state-centered, ignoring the networked, multi-scalar nature of extraction; they propose a supply-web rather than point-of-extraction approach.
  • They argue Ecological Distribution Conflicts (EDCs) could better be labeled Ecological Destruction Conflicts, since EDCs implicitly accept the erasure of relations and alternative ways of being.
  • They distinguish direct green extractivism (extractive processes at sites justified as "green") from indirect green extractivism (mines, smelting, chemical production, digital technologies that enable it), citing examples such as wind velocity deficits of "10% or more" downstream and a "significant warming trend of up to 0.72c per decade" found in west-central Texas (2003–2011).

Methods

  • Design: conceptual/theoretical introduction to a Special Section, based on an in-depth literature review of extractivism, political ecology, EDCs and green grabbing.
  • The paper reviews and synthesizes existing scholarship and outlines the Special Section's contributions (case studies spanning the Arctic, India, Namibia, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, the UK and Germany).
  • Main analysis is conceptual: defining extractivism's core features (appropriation, breakdown of socioecological reciprocity, political-economic/ideational systems) and green extractivism's four features, plus the direct/indirect distinction.

Limitations

  • The paper is an introduction and literature review rather than an empirical study; it explicitly frames itself as identifying "gaps in existing scholarship" and suggesting "ways forward," including a call for multi-scalar, mixed-methods research on extractive supply-webs.
  • The authors note that "political-industrial ecology" as a companion approach is offered speculatively ("we speculate").
  • Evident from the text: the argument is explicitly normative/advocacy-oriented (e.g., calling for postcapitalist, post-extractivist futures and "extra-Activisms"), which shapes its framing rather than presenting neutral findings.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.2458/jpe.6131

Cites

160 of 160 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

80 Own interpretation · 40 Sources not found · 18 Not checked yet · 17 No full text of the sources · 14 Partly supported · 9 No basis given · 7 Supported · 5 Couldn’t confirm · 2 Supported so far · accuracy not yet measured

Show all 71 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 55
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 94
121 of 121
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Green extractivism has mostly been studied in a compartmentalized manner, divided by sector and often in the form of individual case studies.

    “Because of its diverse manifestations—as well as the diverse understandings of extractivism—green extractivism has mostly been studied in a compartmentalized manner, divided by sector (e.g., minerals, agriculture, infrastructures, etc.) and often in the form of individual case studies.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The so-called 'green economy' remains fundamentally driven by (liberal) capitalism.

    “as long as the so-called 'green economy' remains fundamentally driven by (liberal) capitalism”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Capitalist growth imperatives must be stopped for sustainability and to prevent extractivism.

    “all conversations about lower-carbon technologies and greening are pointless until capitalist growth imperatives are stopped.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The different manifestations of 'green' extractivism can be placed under a single analytical umbrella.

    “This Special Section aims to place the different manifestations of 'green' extractivism under a single analytical umbrella and develops a comprehensive theoretical approach”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The project of capital accumulation retains little-to-no respect for boundaries, whether of economic sectors or nation states.

    “The project of capital accumulation retains little-to-no respect for boundaries, whether of economic sectors or nation states.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The world economy has grown increasingly financialized from the 1980s onwards.

    “with the growing financialization of the world economy from the 1980s onwards.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    De-risking seeks to reduce or eliminate investment risks by leveraging public funds.

    “De-risking seeks to reduce, or eliminate, investment risks by leveraging public funds.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Ecotourism aims for the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, rather than their depletion.

    “While ecotourism aims for the preservation of biodiversity and”
8 of 8

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

3 of 3

Citations

Cites

Show all 155 references

Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Journal of Political Ecology Vol. 31, 2024 455
  2. Batel, S. & Rudolph, D. (2021). A critical approach to the social acceptance of renewable energy infrastructures: Going beyond green growth and sustainability. Palgrave.
  3. Bridge, G. (2023). Conclusion. Extractive orientations. In S. Postar, N. Elodie Behzadi, & N. Doering (eds.),
  4. Journal of Political Ecology Vol. 31, 2024 456
  5. Journal of Political Ecology Vol. 31, 2024 457
  6. Dunlap, A., Ruelas, A. & Hammelbo, L. (eds.) (2023). Debates in post-development and degrowth: Volume

Cited by

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Items 101–125 of 125

Metadata

Authors
Dunlap, A., Verweijen, J., & Tornel, C.
Affiliations
  • Boston University (US)
  • Utrecht University (NL)
  • Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación (MX)
Corresponding author
Dunlap, Alexander
Venue
Journal of Political Ecology
Published
2024-07-23
Volume
31
Issue
1
ISSN
1073-0451 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4400924818
Cited by
126
References
155
Citations by year
2026: 65 · 2025: 52 · 2024: 9
FWCI
89.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Political Ecology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Extractivism and Socioeconomic Issues
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Environmental Movements and Political Ecology
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Political Economy and Marxism
Keywords
green extractivism, extractivism, political ecology, greenwashing, sustainable development, green grabbing, climate change, carbon neutrality, neocolonialism, dispossession

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