The road not taken: 'Triple transformation' towards sustainable peace in Northern Ireland

Large-scale illegal dumping in the Mobuoy site in Derry was the case study used to demonstrate how and in what ways the post-conflict governance and policy system in Northern Ireland have been blind to ecological harms, crime, and ecological injustices, imposed on local communities and nature and non-human beings. The case study demonstrated that rather than being recognised as integral part of sustainable peace, the environment has been a ‘forgotten victim’ both during the Troubles and the post-Agreement period in Northern Ireland.

As opposed to the ‘triple transition’, a model of ‘triple transformation’ is proposed as a pathway for sustainable peace that promotes freedom as non-domination and ecological sustainability. The ‘triple transformation’ model is based on a premise that environmental cooperation between divided communities can contribute to regenerating peaceful intercommunity relations and the sustainable human–nature relationship by ending the human domination of nature and non-human beings.

Thus, it is argued that although the Troubles were not primarily caused or significantly influenced by environmental and resource issues, ecological sustainability should be recognised as equally vital as social reconciliation to promote a sustainable peace in Northern Ireland. <br><br><br>