ABSTRACT

This paper examines the potential for benefit-sharing from large-scale renewable energy projects in Australia on land held under customary ownership. I argue that the growing body of scholarship on accumulation by energy dispossessions needs to be balanced by attention to the opportunities for benefit-sharing by Indigenous landholding interests. I remain open to the possibility that rent-seeking can create value for historically marginalised and formerly dispossessed Indigenous communities. Following a recent sustained period of Aboriginal repossession of land, benefits can flow to Aboriginal landholders and managers based on the strength and durability of traditional and novel property rights, and their capacity to negotiate benefits. Drawing on the extensive literature on mining negotiations in Australia, I focus on the significant role that the law plays in shaping benefit-sharing opportunities particularly through a procedural right of veto for Indigenous interests. Overall the legal procedural protections for Indigenous landholders are weaker for large scale renewable energy developments than for minerals extraction, and stronger under one legislative regime (Land Rights) than another (Native Title). This analysis shows how the law is both a site of struggle over benefit-sharing and can shape socio-spatially differentiated outcomes. I call for greater analysis of the relationship between rent-seeking, reparation and energy justice, with an emphasis on the distribution of benefits not just burdens.

摘要

本文研究了在澳大利亚习惯拥有的土地上进行大规模可再生能源项目带来的利益分享潜力。我认为，关于能源消耗积累的学术研究的增长，需要通过关注土著土地所有者利益分享收益的机会来平衡。我仍然对寻租可以为历史上被边缘化和以前被剥夺的土著社区创造价值的可能性持开放态度。在最近一段持续的原住民土地征用期之后，利益可以基于传统和新产权的实力和持久性以及他们协商收益的能力而流向原住民土地所有者和管理者。借鉴澳大利亚有关采矿谈判的大量文献，我关注法律在塑造利益共享机会方面的重要作用，特别是通过针对土著利益的否决权。总体而言，对于大规模可再生能源开发而言，对土著土地所有者的法律程序保护要弱于对矿产开采的保护，而在一种立法制度（土地权利）下，对土著土地所有者的法律保护要强于另一种立法制度（本国所有权）。这项分析表明，法律既是利益共享斗争的场所，又可以塑造社会空间差异化的结果。我呼吁对寻租，赔偿与能源正义之间的关系进行更深入的分析，并着重于利益的分配而不仅仅是负担。总体而言，对于大规模可再生能源开发而言，对土著土地所有者的法律程序保护要弱于对矿产开采的保护，而在一种立法制度（土地权利）下，对土著土地所有者的法律保护要强于另一种立法制度（本国所有权）。这项分析表明，法律既是利益共享斗争的场所，又可以塑造社会空间差异化的结果。我呼吁对寻租，赔偿与能源正义之间的关系进行更深入的分析，并着重于利益的分配而不仅仅是负担。总体而言，对于大规模可再生能源开发而言，对土著土地所有者的法律程序保护要弱于对矿产开采的保护，而在一种立法制度（土地权利）下，对土著土地所有者的法律保护要强于另一种立法制度（本国所有权）。这项分析表明，法律既是利益共享斗争的场所，又可以塑造社会空间差异化的结果。我呼吁对寻租，赔偿与能源正义之间的关系进行更深入的分析，并着重于利益的分配而不仅仅是负担。这项分析表明，法律既是利益共享斗争的场所，又可以塑造社会空间差异化的结果。我呼吁对寻租，赔偿与能源正义之间的关系进行更深入的分析，并着重于利益的分配而不仅仅是负担。这项分析表明，法律既是利益共享斗争的场所，又可以塑造社会空间差异化的结果。我呼吁对寻租，赔偿与能源正义之间的关系进行更深入的分析，并着重于利益的分配而不仅仅是负担。