CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2025
| Author | Horvath, Nora |
|---|---|
| Title | Cementing the Future: Lessons from Ecological Distribution Conflicts and Environmental Justice Movements for a Just Green Transition of the Cement Industry |
| Summary | The cement industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonise as the sector accounts for ~7% of global CO₂ emissions (IEA 2023). Low-carbon transitions often lead to an exacerbation of inequality and vulnerability (Sovacool et al. 2021), give rise to new ones, while also falling short in addressing preexisting injustices and their structural drivers (Sovacool et al. 2019). This risks exacerbating the very problems it seeks to solve. The thesis aims to contribute to just transition (JT) research by employing a transformative approach that sees conflict as productive and regards ecological distribution conflicts (EDCs) and environmental justice movements (EJMs) as catalysts of sustainable transformations. The thesis examines the drivers of EDCs and EJMs within the scope of cement production, to inform the barriers and opportunities for a just green transition of the cement industry. This is achieved through the analysis (N=56) of conflict cases documented in the Global Atlas of Environmental Justice, directly linked to cement production. Findings show that the examined conflicts are driven by unjust socio-metabolic configurations (unequal allocation of local burdens and benefits, global unequal exchange, and an “urban”- rural divide), and furthered by issues in procedural, recognition and restorative practices. If the JT does not address the underlying drivers of injustices, there is a risk that emerging decarbonisation technologies and policies will replicate existing issues, especially in the case of CCUS. Recommendations are made for a more transformative approach to a just green transition. More research is needed on the just transition of extractive industries and JT benefits. |
| Supervisor | Ürge-Vorsatz, Diana |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy MSc |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2025/horvath_nora.pdf |
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