Dartmouth Researchers Publish Study on Renewable Energy and Indigenous Rights

Dartmouth energy justice researchers and colleagues from universities in Chile and Norway recently published an article in Climate and Development, "Epistemic Justice as Energy Justice: Reflections from a Transnational collaboration on hydropower and Indigenous Rights." The article examines a 15-year conflict over hydroelectric development in Mapuche-Williche territory in Chile, involving Indigenous rights and the Norwegian company Statkraft. The authors, who include Dartmouth researchers Dr. Sarah Kelly (Geography, Energy Justice Clinic co-founder), Dr. Maron Greenleaf (Anthropology, Energy Justice Clinic co-founder), and students Solange Acosta-Rodríguez '24, Adriana Fajardo Mazorra, and Nadine Lorini Formiga '25, argue that true energy justice requires including Indigenous knowledge and respecting their rights, particularly through stronger consultation processes like Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).