Hydrosocial Dynamics in Energy Transitions: MENA and Latin Ameica

Hydrosocial dynamics in energy transitions: MENA and Latin America

Although a broad body of literature from a large range of disciplines (engineering, economics, law, geography) treats water scarcity (Amery, 2020; Dame et al., 2023; Odhiambo, 2017), water security (Amery, 2015; Budds, 2020; Lossow, 2020; Zawahri, 2019) and water governance (Hussein et al. 2018; Pahl-Wostl et al., 2010) as well as its entanglement to other aspects of climate change and/or food/energy insecurity (Keulertz & Allan, 2019; Rambo et al., 2017), there has been little focus on the dynamics of water demand and availability, as well as the interdependencies between water and resources needed for energy transitions.

However, the demand for and pressure on water resources is increased by lithium extraction, renewable energy and hydrogen production. Thus, the hydrosocial cycle and territories are being impacted by a growing number of actors, political interests, and financial flows under the umbrella of a contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. Our workshop brings together researchers, policy stakeholders and practitioners to address among others the following questions:

•         How is water use integrated into global energy transition strategies, and what factors influence decision-making at different scales?

•         In water scarce regions of Latin America and the MENA, how do renewable energy projects and resource extraction activities impact water resources and hydrosocial relations?

•         What role do economic and financial resources play in shaping hydrosocial reconfigurations during the energy transition, contributing to competition between the MENA and Latin America?

•         How can sociopolitical contexts and local alternatives be considered in decision-making processes regarding water access and use within the context of global energy transitions?

Contact:

E-Mail: tobias.zumbraegel(at)uni-heidelberg.de