Kennedy, Amanda; Cosby, Amy --- "Agricultural land use conflict in the context of climate change: an Australian case study" [2017] ELECD 513; in Angelo, Jane Mary; Du Plesis, Anél (eds), "Research Handbook on Climate Change and Agricultural Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017) 385

Book Title: Research Handbook on Climate Change and Agricultural Law

Editor(s): Angelo, Jane Mary; Du Plesis, Anél

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781784710637

Section: Chapter 14

Section Title: Agricultural land use conflict in the context of climate change: an Australian case study

Author(s): Kennedy, Amanda; Cosby, Amy

Number of pages: 38

Abstract/Description:

Within the broader context of climate change, the recent rapid expansion of extractive fossil fuel industries (such as coal and unconventional gas) in agricultural communities throughout Australia has raised significant concerns over agricultural production capacity and food security. With many new coal and gas developments proposed either on or within close proximity to agriculturally productive land, both atmospheric impacts as well as direct land conversion have catalysed new and complicated land use conflicts, which existing regulatory frameworks have failed to resolve. Drawing upon a case study from the North West area of the state of New South Wales in Australia, this chapter examines conflict over agricultural land in the context of global climate change. It focuses particularly on regulatory reforms to better manage land use conflict, but finds that attempts at reform have thus far enjoyed little success in resolving land use disputes. Using an environmental justice lens, the chapter explores how community capacity to participate effectively in land use decision making was further constrained by reform efforts. By prioritising the broader economic benefits of extractive development, the values and views of agricultural communities were marginalised and discounted, serving to intensify opposition to development and entrenching broad-scale social conflict. The chapter concludes that the complex issue of agricultural land use conflict requires governance approaches that are grounded in principles of environmental justice. Greater attention to the distribution of environmental risks and harms, and the incorporation of mechanisms to ensure equal treatment in decision-making processes, will ultimately strengthen the capacity of agricultural communities to respond to environmental threats such as climate change. Key Words: agricultural land use conflict, environmental justice