An interdisciplinary project led by 九色视频 (LUH) aims to highlight ways in which international energy policy, human rights and local perspectives can be better reconciled. The CROSSJET research collaboration has received approximately 1.95 million euros from the Volkswagen Foundation鈥檚 new Change! Fellowships funding initiative to study the global dynamics surrounding lithium extraction and the energy transition.
Lithium is a key raw material for rechargeable batteries in electric vehicles and battery storage systems and is therefore considered a crucial element of the energy transition. As a component of batteries, it is also present in almost all computers and telephones. 鈥淏ut extracting it often leads to water shortages, environmental destruction and social conflicts,鈥� explains project head Dr. Javier Lastra-Bravo, who is based at the LUH Institute of Sociology. CROSSJET focuses on the three countries in the so-called 鈥渓ithium triangle鈥�: Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. Over the next five years, the researchers want to examine the social, cultural and ecological impacts of the lithium mining there in connection with European lithium policy. Due to the water-intensive process of extracting the raw material, water is becoming increasingly scarce for people and fields in the desert regions. Mining companies are competing with the local population for this limited resource 鈥� for example, in the Atacama Desert.
Researchers from the areas of sociology, anthropology, and political science plan to analyse the situation in the lithium triangle in order to ultimately provide their findings to decision-makers as concrete recommendations for action. Their goal is to identify sustainable solutions that guarantee a fair energy transition for all. Alongside empirical field research in South America, this will also involve the in-depth study of European policies and supply chains. How does lithium extraction impact the local economy, employment opportunities, wealth distribution, ecosystems and social dynamics? Dr. Lastra-Bravo, the head of the project, has extensive experience working closely with indigenous communities: 鈥淚 am convinced that collaborating with the representatives of indigenous peoples and local communities is essential to identifying sustainable solutions.鈥�
Note to editors:
For further information, please contact Dr. Javier Lastra-Bravo, Institute of Sociology (tel. +49 511 762 4932, email: j.lastra.bravo@ish.uni-hannover.de).
