In Niemandsland, Daniel Chatard (DE) investigates the impact of brown coal extraction in the German Rhineland, where energy giant RWE operates some of Europe’s largest open-cast lignite mines, in particular Hambach and Garzweiler. Not only are these mines the biggest source of CO2 emissions on the continent, they have also dramatically altered the landscape, swallowing up fields, forests, and entire villages.

The steadily expanding voids caused a sense of powerlessness among those affected as their homes and land were sacrificed to coal mining. Many residents grew up knowing that their villages would one day disappear, which is difficult to reconcile with Germany’s professed commitment to renewable energy.

A new generation of resistance began in 2012, when environmental activists occupied Hambach Forest to stop its destruction. The conflict escalated in 2018 during the forced clearing of the forest, but protests managed to save some of it. This success sparked a collaboration between villagers and activists that led to the preservation of five threatened villages. However, many residents had already been resettled and the sixth village, Lützerath, was demolished, marking a grim end to the conflict.

Born out of a deep concern for climate change and frustration with short-term economic priorities, Chatard sought to document the conflict between environmental, public, and economic interests as Germany transitions away from coal. Chatard is not a distant observer, but actively engages with the people and places affected, allowing a deeper understanding of the emotional and physical toll of the mining operations. By sharing early versions of the work with the villagers and activists, the project incorporates their perspectives, enriching the story with their experience of the crisis.

In documenting the end of coal mining in this region, Niemandsland tells a story of global significance: a reminder of the costs of energy production and the enduring human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. A universal story of loss and resistance that resonates far beyond the Rhineland.