Conflict Resolution of the Boruca Hydro-Energy Project : Renewable Energy Production in Costa Rica

This is a case study that profiles the best practices for sustainable development, indigenous human rights, and conflict resolution, providing original insights into Latin American environmental and development politics. "Conflict Resolution of the Boruca Hydro-Energy Project" is a case study that aims to profile best practices for sustainable development, indigenous human rights, and conflict resolution. In 2003, a joint project was developed between the United Nations University of Peace and the International Peace and Conflict Resolution program at Arcadia University to study the Boruca hydroelectrical conflict in Costa Rica. The aim was to bring together theory and practice and to reveal the link between peace and conflict resolution and sustainable development. Through partnerships with the Kan Tan Ecological Project and the indigenous communities in the region, and field studies to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and local Civil Society Organizations, faculty and students utilized the mediation framework to identify the needs and interests of the primary conflict stakeholders. "Conflict Resolution of the Boruca Hydro-Energy Project" represents the culmination of this fieldwork and tests the mediation framework as suitable model for the resolution of environmental conflicts in Latin America. "Conflict Resolution of the Boruca Hydro-Energy Project" follows these conflicts and the process by which the government-owned utility tried to find common ground between all stakeholders. Ultimately, it tests the mediation framework as an appropriate approach to the resolution of development conflicts, exploring the transferability of this approach to other countries in Latin America. Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 12 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations......Page 14 The Boruca Project as Case Study......Page 18 Analysis of the Systems, Institutions and Actors of the Region......Page 20 Assessment of the Attitudes and Actions of Primary Actors......Page 22 General Observations......Page 23 Traditional Approaches to Development: Theory and Practice......Page 25 Rethinking Project Design using Mediation and Conflict Resolution......Page 29 Current Situation in Latin America......Page 32 Plan Puebla Panamá and Future Economic Integration at the Regional Scale......Page 36 Conclusion......Page 38 Analysis of the Energy Sector in Costa Rica......Page 39 Policy Setting......Page 42 Legal Landscape......Page 44 The 2005 Generation Plan......Page 46 History of the Project......Page 50 Legal Framework and Policies......Page 54 Electricity Policy......Page 60 Communication, Trust, and Coordination within the Electricity Sector......Page 61 Funding Mechanisms......Page 63 Human Rights......Page 64 International Law and Human Rights......Page 65 The Right to Development......Page 66 Rights Related to Resettlement and Land......Page 68 Property Rights......Page 70 The Right to Self-Determination......Page 72 Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights......Page 73 Environmental Rights for Peoples......Page 75 National Laws and Human Rights Violations......Page 76 Conclusion......Page 77 Stakeholders......Page 78 Boruca Hydroelectric Dam Project Stakeholder Participation......Page 82 Involvement of Institutions......Page 90 Plan Puebla Panamá......Page 92 Conclusions......Page 93 Sociocultural and Economic Aspects......Page 94 Biophysical Characteristics of the Térraba Watershed......Page 106 Downstream Ecological Impacts......Page 111 Impacts of Flooding the Reservoir......Page 112 Impacts on Watershed Management......Page 113 Mitigation......Page 114 Large-Scale Hydroelectric Power Plants......Page 115 Violence and Conflict Resolution......Page 116 Resistance from Local Communities......Page 117 Resistance from International and Domestic Law......Page 118 Conflict Resolution......Page 120 Conclusions about the Boruca Dam......Page 121 Project El Diquís......Page 130 Implications for the Road Infrastructure......Page 132 Implications for the Térraba–Sierpe Wetland......Page 133 Implications for Productive Activities......Page 134 Implications for the Management of the Watershed......Page 135 Control of the Flooding in the Lower Parts of the Watershed......Page 136 Perspectives......Page 137 Demand Management and Efficiency......Page 144 Wind Power......Page 147 Biomass......Page 148 Geothermal......Page 149 Solar......Page 150 Hydropower......Page 151 Economic Sustainability......Page 152 Renewable Energy is Cost Competitive......Page 155 Green Power: A Business Opportunity for Costa Rica......Page 156 Full Cost Accounting......Page 157 Carbon Financing......Page 159 The Need for Greater Adherence to Good Practices......Page 161 Institution Building......Page 163 Overcoming Barriers to the Implementation of the Sustainable Power Projects in Costa Rica......Page 164 Legislative Limitations to Renewable Energy Projects......Page 165 Improving National Policy for Indigenous Rights......Page 166 National Level Strategic Commitment to Alternative Energy......Page 168 Institutional Coordination......Page 170 Participation of Stakeholders......Page 172 Identifying Dividers and the Connectors......Page 173 Indigenous Peoples of Costa Rica......Page 176 The Institutions and Systems Involved......Page 179 Public Understanding and Participation......Page 182 Consultation/Mediation and Conflict Resolution......Page 183 Monitoring and Evaluation......Page 185 Dividers and Tension Builders......Page 186 Connectors and Local Capacities for Peace (LCP)......Page 189 Social Organization......Page 200 Action Plan for Linking Indigenous Groups to State Influence......Page 202 Training and Job Creation......Page 203 Potential Projects for the Indigenous Reserves......Page 204 Action Plan......Page 205 Regional Development of the Indigenous Reserves......Page 206 Quality of Life Improvement for the Indigenous Peoples (PNDPI 2002)......Page 208 An Aid Program for the Boruca Region......Page 210 Energy Needs and Production Are Increasing in the Region......Page 213 Alternative Energy Options Are Feasible in Costa Rica......Page 214 Regional Indigenous Development Opportunities in the South of Costa Rica Exist......Page 216 Conflict Resolution of the Boruca Hydroelectricity Dam Is Possible......Page 217 Bibliography......Page 220 "In this book, The Boruca Dam Project is analyzed as a case study where a mediation approach was used. The "mediation framework" was used to identify the different positions and the underlying interests of all stakeholders, including indigenous people, and also as a method for achieving or moving closer to sustainable development. In addition, the book looks at what are the transferable lessons of this approach and whether they may serve as a useful model for other projects in the region."--Jacket A case study that profiles some of the best practices for sustainable development, indigenous human rights, and conflict resolution, providing original insights into Latin American environmental and development politics. It tests the mediation framework as suitable model for the resolution of environmental conflicts in Latin America. Energy production and needs in developing countries Analysis : hydro-project Boruca, Costa Rica Rethinking project design Regional development implications in the south of Costa Rica Conclusions on main themes and issues.