Colombia’s accelerated and ambitious climate and decarbonization agenda has brought to the forefront a range of social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions that are being reshaped and debated in light of the multiple energy transition processes taking place—particularly at the territorial level. These discussions have led to marked differences in how energy transition projects and processes are understood, embraced, and accepted (or not), such as the arrival of renewable energy, the closure of coal mines, or the intensification of mining for certain transition minerals, among others. These new dynamics and processes have been shaped by recent governmental agendas and their respective public policy guidelines, as well as by divergent and often opposing views on what constitutes a “just” transition—according to varying political positions. As such, addressing the issue of polarization is no minor matter.
In this context, CREER has taken on the task of understanding how the relationship between polarization and energy transition operates—its manifestations, characteristics, narratives, consequences, and risks. While there is no universally accepted definition, CREER understands polarization in the context of energy transition as a phenomenon in which the opinions and positions of stakeholders involved in the discussion shift toward opposing extremes, without a genuine interest in building bridges or reaching consensus on the strategic aspects of the transition. This divide may stem from conflicting interests, beliefs, or perceptions about the benefits and costs of the energy transition. Polarization leads to a decline in moderation, a loss of nuance, and therefore a heightened level of confrontation and hostility in interactions among individuals. In this context, polarization poses serious challenges for decision-making, the effective implementation of policies, and the creation of the consensus needed to ensure a just energy transition.
In light of this, through this study, CREER seeks to foster multi-stakeholder dialogue spaces, research inputs, and communication tools that will enable citizens to form a clear and informed understanding of the energy transition and the potential risks of polarization in this context. In doing so, we aim to generate ideas on how to move beyond fossil fuel dependency through the collective building of trust in order to reach meaningful agreements.
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Report from the meeting with workers and trade unions
Testimony from workers and trade unions
The rapid expansion of critical minerals for the energy transition and other strategic industries (agriculture, defense, technology) presents us with a paradox: the decarbonization of the planet depends on an intensification of mining activity. For CREER, this rapid expansion carries critical risks regarding human rights, local economic dynamics, and ecosystem balance. Our work focuses on analyzing these dilemmas through the lens of a just transition, promoting governance frameworks that mitigate negative impacts and ensure that the mining of “minerals for the future” is carried out under rigorous standards of sustainability, equity, and respect for fundamental rights, through dialogue among different stakeholders.
We analyze the governance and sustainability challenges that arise in the implementation of decentralized generation models. Our work focuses on researching how local associative structures interact with regulatory frameworks and human rights standards. Through applied research, we assess the risks of rent capture, internal decision-making conflicts, and the conditions necessary for these self-management schemes to guarantee equitable and transparent participation in the territory.
With a focus on responsible land management and respect for local livelihoods, at CREER we apply our technical expertise in the photovoltaic sector to promote a solar transition with social integrity. Through the analysis of rural environments, the strengthening of local governance, and the design of participation mechanisms, we seek to ensure that large-scale deployment in Latin America not only contributes to the energy mix, but also strengthens the social fabric. Our purpose is to lead due diligence models that ensure solar infrastructure coexists with food security, strategic ecosystems, and the productive vocations of each community.
