Environmental Governance as Ecological Imperialism

This chapter explores environmental governance in Southeast Asia through the lens of ecological imperialism. It begins with an introduction to the concept and the significant influence of colonialism on environmental policies. The chapter then examines the distinct impacts of British, American, Japanese, Dutch, and French colonial powers. It addresses issues of equity, fairness, and justice in environmental governance, framing colonial development as a form of ecological imperialism. The discussion extends to specific sectors such as the built environment, land tenure, agriculture, forestry, and mining. The chapter concludes with a summary, reflecting on the lasting legacies of colonialism and their implications for contemporary environmental governance in the region.