Mining from the Lens of Ecological Law: Obstacles and Opportunities for Re-formation Carla Sbert Carlsson A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctorate in Philosophy degree in Law Department of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Faculty of Law, Common Law University of Ottawa © Carla Sbert Carlsson, Ottawa, Canada, 2019 Ottawa is located in unceded Algonquin Territory This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, PO Box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA. RÉSUMÉ Le droit écologique est un paradigme juridique qui émerge en réponse à la crise écologique actuelle. Cette thèse explore les principaux défis et opportunités des lois existantes, en particulier dans le contexte de l'exploitation minière, pour passer à ce nouveau paradigme. Une synthèse des principales critiques, concepts scientifiques et économiques, études juridiques et propositions contribuant à la théorie du droit écologique est présentée, ainsi qu'une discussion sur les relations et les synergies potentielles du droit écologique avec les traditions juridiques autochtones et avec la Théorie juridique verte (Green Legal Theory). Un outil analytique permettant de mieux comprendre ce qu’impliquerait un passage au droit écologique - la lentille du droit écologique - est proposé, en s’appuyant sur les travaux du droit écologique. La lentille du droit écologique repose sur trois principes du droit écologique: l'écocentrisme, la primauté écologique et la justice écologique. Cette lentille s’applique à trois approches juridiques différentes de l’exploitation minière afin de réfléchir aux implications d’un changement vers le droit écologique dans ce secteur: l’interdiction de l’extraction minière des métaux au El Salvador; l’extraction minière proposée dans la ceinture de feu de l’Ontario; et l'exploitation minière dans le contexte des droits de la Mère nourricière et du concept andin de vivir bien reconnu par la législation bolivienne. Des conclusions sur les obstacles et les possibilités de passer au droit écologique minier, ainsi que des recommandations sur la réforme radicale de l’extraction minière s’appuyant sur le droit écologique et sur des recherches plus poussées sont proposées en conclusion. Le droit écologique promet d’être un élément important de la construction d’une société écologiquement juste. ii ABSTRACT Ecological law is a legal paradigm that is emerging in response to the current ecological crisis. This thesis explores the main challenges and opportunities in existing laws, particularly in the context of mining, for a shift to this new paradigm. A synthesis of the main critiques, scientific and economic concepts, legal scholarship and proposals that contribute to the theory of ecological law is presented, along with a discussion of the relationship and potential synergies of ecological law with Indigenous legal traditions and with Green Legal Theory. An analytical tool to help improve the understanding of what a shift to ecological law would entail–a lens of ecological law–is proposed, building on ecological law scholarship. The lens of ecological law consists of three principles of ecological law: ecocentrism, ecological primacy and ecological justice. This lens is applied to three different legal approaches to mining in order to reflect on the implications for a shift to ecological law in this sector: El Salvador’s ban on metal mining; mineral extraction proposed in Ontario’s Ring of Fire; and mining in the context of the rights of Mother Earth and vivir bien recognized in Bolivian law. Conclusions on the obstacles and opportunities for a shift to ecological law in mining, and recommendations on the ecological law re-formation of mining and on further research are offered in closing. Ecological law promises to be an important part of building an ecologically just society. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the University of Ottawa generously provided financial support for this research. My supervisors, professors Nathalie Chalifour and Heather McLeod-Kilmurray offered priceless guidance and encouragement throughout my program. Professors Jamie Benidickson, Lynda Collins, Michael M’Gonigle and Sophie Thériault generously contributed their time to act as examiners and provided encouraging and stimulating comments and helpful suggestions on this thesis. Geoffrey Garver introduced me to ecological law, inspiring this project and providing invaluable feedback on it. Jean- François Dionne, in addition to overall support, lent valuable advice from the perspective of critical political economy. I am grateful to all, and to my family, friends and colleagues for the various ways in which they supported me to complete this project. DEDICATION For my mother In memory of my father iv Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 1 PART 1 – ECOLOGICAL LAW ................................................................................................. 4 CHAPTER 1 – THE EMERGING THEORY OF ECOLOGICAL LAW .................................. 4 1.1 Underpinnings .......................................................................................................................... 4 1.1.1 The Universe Story, the Anthropocene and Planetary Boundaries .................... 6 1.1.2 Questioning the Economic Growth Paradigm .......................................................... 11 1.1.3 The Shortcomings of Environmental Law .................................................................. 15 1.2 Converging Proposals for a New Approach .................................................................. 22 1.2.1 Sustainability Law .............................................................................................................. 22 1.2.2 Earth Jurisprudence and Wild Law .............................................................................. 25 1.2.3 The Principle of Sustainability, Ecological Justice, Ecological Human Rights and Ecological Integrity ................................................................................................................ 37 1.2.4 The Rule of Ecological Law .............................................................................................. 42 1.2.5 The Rule of Law for Nature ............................................................................................. 45 1.2.5.1 The Principles of Cooperation, Biophilia and Resilience .................................. 45 1.2.5.2 Rights of Nonuse ............................................................................................................. 48 1.2.5.3 Eco-proportionality ....................................................................................................... 50 1.3 Terminology ............................................................................................................................ 52 1.3.1 Why “Ecological Law”? ...................................................................................................... 52 1.3.2 Definition of Ecological Law ........................................................................................... 55 1.4 The Ecological Law Paradigm Shift .................................................................................. 59 1.5 Ecological Law and Indigenous Legal Traditions ........................................................ 67 1.5.1 Resurgence of Indigenous Law ...................................................................................... 68 1.5.2 Access and Interpretation ............................................................................................... 69 1.5.3 Potential Synergies between Indigenous Laws and Ecological Law ................. 72 1.6 Ecological Law and Green Legal Theory ........................................................................ 79 1.6.1 Green Legal Theory ........................................................................................................... 79 1.6.2 Intersections between Green Legal Theory and Ecological Law ........................ 81 CHAPTER 2 – THE LENS OF ECOLOGICAL LAW ............................................................ 86 2.1 What qualifies as a principle of ecological law for purposes of the lens of ecological law? ................................................................................................................................. 87 2.2 The Lens of Ecological: Three Core Principles ............................................................. 91 2.2.1 Ecocentrism ......................................................................................................................... 95 2.2.2 Ecological Primacy .......................................................................................................... 102 2.2.3 Ecological Justice ............................................................................................................. 112 2.2.4 Concluding Thoughts on the Lens of Ecological Law ............................................. 118 PART 2 – MINING CASE STUDIES FROM THE LENS OF ECOLOGICAL LAW ......... 121 CHAPTER 3 – EL SALVADOR’S METAL MINING BAN FROM THE LENS OF ECOLOGICAL LAW ...............................................................................................................