In Search of Just Transformations: Exploring the Transformative Potential of Environmental Justice Movements in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

This thesis argues that integrating environmental justice considerations into transformation efforts is essential for long-term and sustainable societal change. Tackling wicked problems like climate change involves fundamental social changes, requiring closer examination of social and ecological aspects rather than forceful enforcement of solutions. This is best achieved through contextualized and tailor-made sustainability solutions. Transformative change is often driven by place-based struggles that coalesce around social-ecological conflicts and injustices, embodying environmental justice movements aimed at halting or preventing social and environmental damage. To better understand movement-induced transformation processes for social justice and environmental sustainability, the concept of just transformations has emerged in scientific and policy discourse. Despite the prominence of place-based struggles in Central and Eastern Europe, their potential for just transformations remains understudied. Therefore, this thesis aims to expand theoretical and empirical understandings in this context.

To achieve this, a comprehensive literature review and expert interviews are conducted to develop the study’s analytical framework for just transformations. This framework incorporates insights from various transition literature, emphasizing critical, deliberate, and just approaches to transformations based on four criteria: (1) directionality, (2) spheres, (3) scales, and (4) depth of change. The developed framework is empirically applied to two case studies in Central and Eastern Europe, focusing on environmental justice movements in Poland and Romania opposing major extractive energy projects in coal and shale gas production, respectively. The cases are assessed using semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and desk research.

Following the empirical analysis, the framework is further refined and contextualized, revealing novel indicators. Findings suggest that environmental justice movements are transformative when they outline higher-level objectives beyond conflict resolution in their directionality, challenging incumbent paradigms in the energy sector. Paradigms are embedded in cultural, relational, and structural hegemonic power types, which need to be configured simultaneously for deep changes. Targeting relational and cultural power is crucial in the region, achievable even amidst drastic top-down structural measures. Through the configuration of hegemonic power, spheres of just transformations can be enhanced across broader scales, which the Polish case demonstrates. Changes in one sphere foster changes in others, highlighting the interconnectedness of transformation dimensions. Unique contextual findings of the Romanian case reveal negative outcomes in certain spheres, which cautions for closer scrutiny and an integrative approach in planning sustainability transformations.

Although none of the movements achieved a fully just transformation, when coupled with broader change processes and movements, they become crucial drivers of transformative change.