Corporate greenwashing in renewable megaprojects: How neoliberal energy capitalism exploits sustainability narratives to displace Indigenous and rural communities globally
Original framing: “The dark side of the energy transition: Renewable megaprojects may sacrifice local communities' rights” — bing news
Marginalised communities—particularly Indigenous peoples, rural farmers, and low-income urban residents—are often the first to bear the brunt of energy transitions, yet their voices are rarely centered in policy or media narratives. For instance, the Maasai in Kenya have faced displacement for geothermal projects, while rural communities in Germany have resisted wind farms due to lack of consultation. Their perspectives highlight that 'sustainability' is not a one-size-fits-all concept but must be co-created with those most affected. Without amplifying these voices, the energy transition risks becoming another tool of corporate and state power, rather than a path to justice.
The energy transition, as currently framed, is not a departure from the extractivist logics of fossil fuel capitalism but a continuation of them under a new environmental label.
Corporate actors—backed by state subsidies, international climate finance, and weak regulatory frameworks—are repurposing the language of sustainability to justify land grabs and displacement, replicating the same power dynamics that defined colonial resource extraction. What is missing from this narrative is the recognition that 'green' energy projects are not inherently progressive; their justice depends entirely on who designs them and who bears the costs. The synthesis of Indigenous knowledge, historical parallels, and marginalised voices reveals a clear path forward: energy transitions must be led by communities, not corporations, and must center the rights of those most affected. Without this shift, the energy transition risks becoming another tool of corporate and state power, where the 'dark side' is not the displacement of communities but the very idea that progress can be achieved without justice.