Oil extractivism and the forgotten rights of children: a mixed-method study of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline and its impacts on children’s rights

Abstract

Oil extractivism driven by transnational corporations exacerbates existing inequalities, undermining children’s rights and welfare, thereby revealing a critical gap in international discussions on fossil fuels and children’s rights. This thesis explores the disproportionate impact of oil extraction activities on children, highlighting their marginalization in global discourse despite their heightened vulnerability to climate change, as well as the environmental and social disruption caused by these oil projects. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study utilises a comparative methodology to analyse how oil extraction perpetuates neo-colonial power dynamics from North to South. It conducts systematic and empirical analyses of existing literature to gather the qualitative and quantitative data on children affected by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) in Uganda. Additionally, a comparative legal analysis comprehensively examines existing frameworks protecting children in extractive oil projects, proposing enhancements for improved corporate diligence by oil majors. The thesis proposes actionable recommendations for TotalEnergies to enhance children’s rights within the context of EACOP, where it holds the largest stake. Central to the thesis is the engagement of children as rights-holders and stakeholders in oil projects. This research is the first to focus on the condition of children within the EACOP project, aiming to influence corporate diligence and raise awareness of children’s rights in current and future oil projects. Key words: children’s rights; oil extractivism, child-rights mainstreaming, transnational corporations, due diligence, EACOP