Public Participation and Socio-economic Justice in Eco-restoration Law and Governance: The UN Environment–Ogoniland Case Study

Etemire, Uzuazo; Muzan, Menes

Abstract

The state-based approach to restoration governance largely has its roots in the political dogma of rational elitism. It postulates that public decision-making should be left almost completely to experts or ‘elites’ with specialised training and experience, such as government administrators and heads of economic enterprises. Public participation in eco-restoration projects can ensure adequate manpower for a project and deliver economic benefits to community members who may have lost their means of livelihood to ecological damage. The chapter focuses to critically assess United Nations (UN) Environment’s stakeholder-driven governance model as an ingredient for successful eco-restoration. It considers the importance of community acceptability and social justice in ensuring a holistic and successful eco-restoration project. The chapter discusses the theoretical basis for the socially inclusive, stakeholder-driven model for eco-restoration governance. It examines UN Environment’s stakeholder-driven Ogoniland eco-restoration project, with a particular focus on its implementation and its progress in meeting not just ecological goals, but also ensuring social and economic justice for Ogoni communities.

Citation

Etemire, U., & Muzan, M. (2019). Public Participation and Socio-economic Justice in Eco-restoration Law and Governance: The UN Environment–Ogoniland Case Study. In A. Akhtar-Khavari, & B. J. Richardson (Eds.), Ecological Restoration Law: Concepts and Case Studies (192-213). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429468315

• Online Publication Date: Feb 11, 2019
• Publication Date: Jan 29, 2019
• Deposit Date: Oct 17, 2024
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 192-213
• Series Title: Law, Justice and Ecology
• Book Title: Ecological Restoration Law: Concepts and Case Studies
• Chapter Number: 9
• ISBN: 9781138605015 ; 9780367662271
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429468315
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4867576