Published 2026-07-31
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Artículos Producto de Investigación

The Ombudsman as an actor in environmental governance and a facilitator of climate justice

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22490/26655489.11810
Diego Mauricio Hernández Guzmán Military University Nueva Granada image/svg+xml
Iván Vargas-Cháves La Gran Colombia University image/svg+xml

This study examines the role of the Ombudsman or Public Defender in addressing socio-environmental conflicts arising from the climate crisis and proposes strategies to strengthen this role. The methodology was based on a qualitative approach involving documentary analysis and the triangulation of academic and legal sources, as well as institutional reports. The results reveal a transformation of conflicts into disputes over resources and the energy transition, and demonstrate that the institution’s traditional reactive mandate is insufficient due to its lack of binding authority and technical limitations, particularly at the regional level. The article concludes that an initiative-taking model incorporating strategic litigation and establishing specialized technical units is necessary. In this way, the Ombudsman may consolidate its position as an institutional mechanism for environmental governance and climate justice, while ensuring the protection of vulnerable communities.

keywords: Climate Change, Environmental Governance, Environmental Justice, Human Rights, Ombudsman, Socio-environmental Conflicts
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How to Cite

Hernández Guzmán, D. M., & Vargas-Cháves, I. . (2026). The Ombudsman as an actor in environmental governance and a facilitator of climate justice. Análisis Jurídico Político, 8(16), 45-76. https://doi.org/10.22490/26655489.11810
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