Energy Poverty, Energy Justice and Policy Implication

• In Event: 3172 - Conceptual Frameworks and New Frontiers in Energy Justice: From Macro to Micro Levels

Abstract

Energy poverty is a complex and multifaceted issue, with multiple barriers. These barriers surpass technical, economic, political and socio-cultural norms. Research on energy behavior often ignores the moral and equity dimensions of energy production and use. It focuses on an analytical strategy that describes rather than a normative one that evaluates. This presentation offers a conceptual alternative. It defines “energy justice” as a global energy system that fairly distributes both the benefits and burdens of energy services, and one that contributes to more representative and inclusive energy decision-making. The primary contribution of the presentation is its focus on six new frontiers of future energy justice research. First is making the case for the involvement of non-Western justice theorists. Second is expanding beyond humans to look at the Rights of Nature or non-anthropocentric notions of justice. Third is focusing on cross-scalar issues of justice such as embodied emissions. Fourth is identifying business models and the co-benefits of justice. Fifth is better understanding the tradeoffs within energy justice principles. Sixth is exposing unjust discourses. In doing so, the presentation presents an agenda constituted by 30 research questions as well as an amended conceptual framework consisting of ten principles. The presentation argues in favor of “justice-aware” energy planning and policymaking, and it hopes that its (reconsidered) energy justice conceptual.

Author

• Benjamin K. Sovacool, University of Sussex