Outlawing metal mining in El Salvador - Policy Brief 18
This Policy Brief from TTP Associate Clare Cummings describes how a community-led campaign for ‘water over gold’ succeeded in banning metal mining in El Salvador.
In 2017, El Salvador passed a law that banned metal mining. In other countries in the region, mining continues to damage livelihoods and pollute water sources; in El Salvador, a community-led campaign for ‘water over gold’ succeeded.
This case study demonstrates how coalitions can bridge identity groups, how a problem can be framed to fit with popular political movements and how cultural identities can help mobilise people around environmental protection.
The following lessons from the anti-mining campaign’s success can inform politically aware programmes:
- Analyse the interests of the political elite, business leaders, rural communities and religious leaders. Understand their cultural identity, ideas and moral values.
- Build coalitions. Broaden support for your campaign to increase political pressure.
- Leverage international support.
- Frame your campaign within popular narratives and cultural values. Can key stakeholders be persuaded to see environmental protection differently?
- Lock it into law. Legislative change can send a strong message.
Why ideas matter for action on climate and environment. New blog from TPP Principal Niki Palmer
This blog from TPP Principal Niki Palmer considers the importance of ideas of nature for action on climate and environment. Unlike interests, ideas are not always fully considered in political economy analysis. Yet ideas help to define action in relation to the natural world, including through global negotiations at the COPs. This blog challenges us to consider ideas more closely, suggesting that through doing so more innovative pathways forward can be found that work with and for nature, not against it.
New Working Paper from Olly Owen and Sa'eed Husaini
Nigeria’s forest policy is at a turning point, with a growing domestic push for conservation amidst environmental degradation. This working paper by TPP Principal Olly Owen and Associate Sa'eed Husaini explores key trends, challenges, and opportunities in the sector, offering insights into how innovative, multi-level solutions can shape sustainable futures.
Latest Newsletter from TPP
We're pleased to share with you our latest newsletter. Read here to find out more about the projects we have been working on at TPP, and exciting news about the launch of our next Political Economy Analysis in Action and Political Economy Analysis for Climate Action online training courses starting spring 2025.
This issue celebrates the appointment of TPPs Associate Dr Suwaiba Ahmad as Nigeria’s Federal Minister of State Education, as well as sharing our new paper we have jointly published with the Thinking and Working Politically Community of Practice - Political Economy Analysis in Sudan.