Living Well and Lithium: Bolivia Charts its Course

• In Event: Resource nationalism in the era of green transition and strategic competition—Latin America and Africa in Comparative perspectives

Abstract

Decarbonizing the world’s economy to meet the Paris Agreement targets by 2040 will require a rapid energy transition to renewable sources of energy. Yet, as countries invest in renewable energy development, what becomes glaringly evident is that many of the raw materials necessary to support this transition are located only in a few countries. Lithium for the renewable sector is found in significant quantities in Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. As global demand for lithium increases, these countries will chart different pathways for the development of the lithium sector that will have significant socio-economic impacts. While Chile and Argentina have already begun mining lithium, we examine the Bolivian case through a climate justice framework that connects local livelihoods to global climate mitigation. Bolivia has embarked upon a path of development based on Living Well and a resource nationalism model for lithium. Countries such as Chile, Mexico, and Argentina are furthermore looking toward the Bolivian model. Living Well entails progressive environmental and Indigenous rights legislation; yet, it has also been unevenly implemented and entails state control. More so, it is at odds with the foreign policy of countries such as the US that seeks to import lithium. Central to this investigation is understanding what Living Well entails and its implications for a global transition to renewable sources of energy. We examine how the mining of such critical resources must be aligned with local governments vision for promoting sustainable development and protecting the rights and health of the populations affected by lithium mining.

Author

• Erika Weinthal, Duke University | Nicholas School of the Environment