Will electro-mobility encourage injustices?: The case of lithium production in the Argentine Puna

Abstract

Around half of the world’s lithium reserves (known exploitable deposits) are located in the Andean salt flats of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, in the so-called “lithium triangle”. Communities close to lithium extraction areas are highly concerned about the social and environmental impacts of extraction activities in their territories. We apply the energy justice framework and some concepts from political ecology to identify the distribution of “injustices” in the lithium global production network, focusing on the micro scale, while being aware of the constraints imposed by regional and global variables. We exemplify our analysis with data from the lithium extraction projects currently operating in Argentina. We argue that power asymmetries are significant, and that more inclusive decision-making processes are needed for the transition to electro-mobility to be compatible with sustainable development and social justice.