Extractivism triggering new forms of governance for the rights of nature: The case of Northwest Ecuador

Resumen

• New forms of extractivism raise new forms of governance through resistance. • Extractivism triggers socio-organizational processes. • Actions by organized communities to invoke the RoN through legal litigation are yielding fruits. • Local governments and communities’ governance efforts are stymied by institutional gaps and mismatches. • Need to conceptualise governance processes grounded in local communities’ struggles. The intensification of resource extractivism around the world poses multiple challenges and fosters the development of new governance structures, especially among communities on the frontlines of resource extraction. Through a narrative inquiry based on narrative interviews with local actors and experts, this article centres on governance as a resistance strategy of local, frontline, communities in the Ecuadorian Northwest Pichincha and Imbabura provinces. The narratives give insights into: a) How new processes of governance are triggered by mining conflict and, in particular, how governance is shaped and manifested; b) Governance challenges faced by local governments and communities; and c) Lessons and recommendations for governance and how these contribute to the discussion of post-extractivism alternatives. New governance processes are shaped through socio-organisational processes and the strengthening of associations and civil society organisations; the institutionalisation of private, civil society, and community conservation initiatives; as well as the actions of the organised community to successfully invoke the Rights of Nature (RoN) through legal litigation. Institutional gaps that reflect competing visions of development are seen as governance challenges by local government and community members. Overall, this study highlights the critical role of governance structures and instruments rooted in frontline community perspectives, offering pathways for the development of post-extractivism alternatives.