PERSPECTIVE
Pastoralism
Pastoral lands and the green transition: opportunities and challenges
- JD
Jonathan Davies 1
- SP
Suraj Pratap Singh Bhati 2
- HW
Hussein Wario 3
- MR
Maansi Rawat 2
- AW
Ann Waters-Bayer 4
1. Independent researcher, Hereford, United Kingdom
2. Dr B R Ambedkar University Delhi, New Delhi, India
3. Centre for Research and Development in Drylands, Mandera, Kenya
4. German Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture, Witzenhausen, Germany
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Abstract
The green transition – the global response to the climate and biodiversity crises – is generating demand for land to implement renewable-energy and carbon-sequestration projects. Rangelands have been attractive to investors because of their large extent, their high potential for wind and solar energy and for carbon sequestration and storage, and the perception that they are currently misused and easily available. In theory, green-transition projects could benefit pastoralists, but many projects alienate pastoralists' land, undermine their rights, and weaken their livelihoods. A few projects have been implemented in ways that respect or strengthen pastoralist rights, engage pastoralist communities in meaningful consultation, and ensure equitable benefit sharing. These experiences demonstrate that pastoralists are not inevitable victims of the green transition and do not need to be excluded from green transition opportunities. A just green transition depends on upholding pastoralist rights, enabling their effective participation, and ensuring equitable allocation of benefits.
Summary
Keywords
green transition, just transition, land, Pastoral, Rangeland
Received
17 February 2026
Accepted
07 May 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Davies, Bhati, Wario, Rawat and Waters-Bayer. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Jonathan Davies
Disclaimer
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.