Impacts of Neoliberal Wind Energy Investments on Environmental Justice and Human Rights in Mexico

Governments and private investors argue that wind energy projects can contribute to global sustainable development and environmental conservation. However, how do wind energy development investments affect indigenous peoples’ environmental justice claims? This chapter employs internal colonialism and environmental justice theories to discuss indigenous people’s opposition to wind energy investments at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. Based on a qualitative longitudinal study developed between 2013 and 2018, the findings suggest that indigenous people’s social unrest towards wind energy is based on uneven regional development and environmental (in)justice. The findings are discussed based on the history embedded in indigenous people’s struggle against foreign and local invasions, understood as internal colonialism. Indigenous people continue their fight to control their territory and resources and to preserve their visions of environmental justice.