Title: The end of the Yasuni-ITT initiative: considerations in a buen vivir perspective

Authors: Gaia Calligaris; Roberto Trevini Bellini

Addresses: Italian Association for Degrowth, Rue du Beau Site 13/10 B-1000 Brussels, Belgium ' European Association for Evolutionary Political Economy, Rue du Beau Site 13/10 B-1000 Brussels, Belgium

Abstract: The Yasuní case study illustrates an attempt to actualise buen vivir. Ecuadorian civil society proposed not to exploit oil in the Yasuní National Park, aiming at: 1) preserving Amazon biodiversity and ancestral cultures; 2) reducing CO₂ emissions; 3) respecting indigenous peoples' rights. In 2007, Correa adopted this proposal, calling on the international community to contribute 50% of revenues potentially obtained from oil extraction in the ITT block in return for leaving it indefinitely in situ. Eventually, in 2013, Correa announced the end of the initiative. However, the initiative is not a wasted occasion, as it can represent the beginning of a process, followed by a moratorium on hydrocarbon exploitation in protected and indigenous territories and a change in the development model aiming at a post-extractivist society. In this time of economic, social and cultural crisis, alternatives can arise from the 'periphery' and marginal groups, such as Ecuadorian indigenous movements.

Keywords: Yasuní; ITT; Ecuador; buen vivir; oil exploitation; environmental protection; biodiversity; ancestral cultures; CO2; carbon dioxide; carbon emissions; indigenous peoples rights; Yasuni-ITT initiative; case study.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEPDM.2015.074290

International Journal of Environmental Policy and Decision Making, 2015 Vol.1 No.3, pp.240 - 260

Received: 03 May 2014
Accepted: 16 Mar 2015
Published online: 21 Jan 2016 *

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