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Delayed and Approved: A Quantitative Study of Conflicts and the Environmental Impact Assessments of Energy Projects in Chile 2012–2017

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  • Sebastián Huneeus

    (Millennium Institute for Foundational Research on Data, Santiago 7820436, Chile
    Political Science Institute, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile)

  • Sergio Toro

    (Millennium Institute for Foundational Research on Data, Santiago 7820436, Chile
    Public Administration and Political Science Department, University of Concepción, Concepción 4070396, Chile)

  • Juan Pablo Luna

    (Millennium Institute for Foundational Research on Data, Santiago 7820436, Chile
    Political Science Institute, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
    Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Santiago 8331150, Chile
    School of Government, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile)

  • Diego Sazo

    (Millennium Institute for Foundational Research on Data, Santiago 7820436, Chile
    Department of Government, London School of Economics and Political Science, London WC2A 2AE, UK)

  • Andrés Cruz

    (Millennium Institute for Foundational Research on Data, Santiago 7820436, Chile)

  • Daniel Alcatruz

    (Millennium Institute for Foundational Research on Data, Santiago 7820436, Chile)

  • Bryan Castillo

    (Millennium Institute for Foundational Research on Data, Santiago 7820436, Chile)

  • Camila Bertranou

    (Millennium Institute for Foundational Research on Data, Santiago 7820436, Chile)

  • Javier Cisterna

    (Millennium Institute for Foundational Research on Data, Santiago 7820436, Chile)

Abstract

The Sistema de Evaluación de Impacto Ambiental (Environmental Impact Assessment System—SEIA) evaluates all projects potentially harmful to human health and the environment in Chile. Since its establishment, many projects approved by the SEIA have been contested by organized communities, especially in the energy sector. The question guiding our research is whether socio-environmental conflicts affect the evaluation times and the approval rates of projects under assessment. Using a novel database comprising all energy projects assessed by the SEIA, we analyzed 380 energy projects that entered the SEIA review process between 2012 and 2017 and matched these projects with protest events. Using linear and logit regression, we find no association between the occurrence of protests aimed at specific projects and the probability of project approval. We do, however, find that projects associated with the occurrence of protest events experience significantly longer review times. To assess the robustness of this finding, we compare two run-of-river plants proposed in Mapuche territory in Chile’s La Araucanía region. We discuss the broader implications of these findings for sustainable environmental decision making.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastián Huneeus & Sergio Toro & Juan Pablo Luna & Diego Sazo & Andrés Cruz & Daniel Alcatruz & Bryan Castillo & Camila Bertranou & Javier Cisterna, 2021. "Delayed and Approved: A Quantitative Study of Conflicts and the Environmental Impact Assessments of Energy Projects in Chile 2012–2017," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:13:p:6986-:d:579302
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    References listed on IDEAS

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