Environmental justice in the face of non-renewable resource exploitation

Abstract

The central problem of this research analyzed the impact of non-renewable resource exploitation in Ecuador on the guarantee of environmental justice, from a biocentric perspective that recognizes nature as a subject of rights. The study focused on extractive activities, especially oil extraction, that generate social, cultural, and environmental impacts on Indigenous communities, highlighting limitations in prior consultation. The overall objective was to analyze how the exploitation of non-renewable resources restricts the guarantee of environmental justice by identifying the main gaps in protection and control. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach, with a bibliographic-documentary design, applying analytical and legal-dogmatic methods based on a review of constitutional regulations, jurisprudence, and specialized environmental doctrine. The results showed that the problem does not lie in the absence of a regulatory framework, but rather in the weak application of legal provisions and the limitations of state control over extractive activities. Furthermore, deficiencies were identified in the effective implementation of prior, free, and informed consultation, which restricts the genuine participation of affected communities. It is concluded that guaranteeing environmental justice in Ecuador requires not only strengthening the institutional framework but also harmonizing economic development with the protection of nature and collective rights, in order to ensure the effective application of constitutional principles regarding environmental matters.