Conflict sensitivity approaches and the water, food and energy security implications of dam Gibe III

By Hautsch, M.

This dissertation analyses the trade-offs generated by Dam Gibe III and the KSDP plantations from a water-food-energy security nexus perspective. It observes that both projects’ plannings omitted to consider interconnections between these sectors and oversimplified how impacts are experienced at the local scale. Drawing on existing scholarship on conflict sensitivity approaches in humanitarian aid, this paper argues that conflict-sensitive planning would enhance the local outcomes of renewable energy projects. In particular, the approach can make an interesting contribution to local development and the mitigation of cross-scalar trade-offs.