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Transitioning to more sustainable energy technologies is a vital step in the move toward reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. However, several physical constraints could hinder the implementation of these technologies, and many of the raw materials required to produce new infrastructure are scarce, nonrenewable, and nonsubstitutable. Various factors relating to material extraction and processing activities may also affect the security and sociopolitical aspects of future supply lines. Here, we introduce methods for quantifying three key indicators relating to raw material supplies for specific production processes: (1) overall supply risk, (2) environmental impacts from sourcing raw materials, and (3) environmental justice threats at sourcing locations. The use of the proposed methods is demonstrated via an exploratory case study examining projected electricity production scenarios within the European Union. Results suggest that renewable sources of electricity─particularly wind, solar, and geothermal technologies─are more likely to exacerbate supply risks and environmental issues than other technologies. Furthermore, projected expansions of wind and solar technologies mean that all three indicators appear likely to rise significantly systemwide by 2050. Ultimately, the methods represent a much-needed first attempt at providing practitioners with simple and robust approaches for integrating factors relating specifically to raw material supply into energy modeling and other applications.

[Objective] This study aimed to evaluate the spatiotemporal patterns and key influencing factors of the coupling and coordination between regional energy transformation and social equity, in order to provide evaluation methods and management policies for China’s regional energy justice and high-quality development of new energy in the new era. [Methods] By introducing the Energy Policy Sustainability Assessment Framework (EPSEF) and considering the terminal energy electrification rate, income distribution, and five key influencing factors related to energy justice, a comprehensive evaluation model was constructed to evaluate the spatial-temporal characteristics and key influencing factors of the coupling and coordination of regional terminal energy electrification and social equity in China from 2001 to 2020. [Results] (1) From 2001 to 2020, the increase of electrification rate of terminal energy showed a trend of the western region (+7.23%) > the eastern region (+5.51%) > the central region (+4.77%) > the northeastern region (-0.42%). The improvement of social equity showed a trend of the eastern region (+3.90) > the central region (+3.61) > the western region (+3.10) > the northeastern region (+2.20). (2) The coupling and coordination degrees have entered the adjustment stage in the 13th Five Year Plan period, and presented a shuttle shape of narrow at both ends and wide in the middle, with fewer medium-level coordination and mild imbalance provinces, and more barely coordinated and primary coordination provinces. (3) From 2001 to 2020, social participation and energy poverty had significantly improved in most regions, while labor employment, public health, and environmental pollution were the areas commonly had shortcomings. [Conclusion] China’s renewable energy development urgently needs to address the shortcomings of coordinated improvement of social equity in underdeveloped areas. Currently, there are fluctuations or “regionalized” imbalances in the coordinated development of energy transformation and social equity in some regions, which may be related to factors such as lagging behind in the coordinated construction of energy infrastructure, limited power market absorption capacity, shrinking of resource-based cities, and spillover effects of energy development. National policy intervention of China plays a significant role in promoting the universal service of electric energy. In the future, it is still necessary to expand and strengthen the collaborative improvement of key factors of energy justice such as employment, public health, and environmental pollution.

This paper surveys the energy literature and systematically reviews the path to an inclusive and sustainable energy transition by exploring factors that drive the current energy transitions, countries with advanced energy transition programs, and the roles of energy literacy and justice in energy transition. Utilizing an exhaustive literature search from 2001 to 2023 via the Scopus database, the study identifies strong policy frameworks, technological advancements, economic incentives, and international collaborations as pivotal factors in successful energy transitions. Case studies from the Nordic countries, Germany, and Poland highlight diverse approaches and significant progress, revealing valuable lessons for global application. Although energy literacy emerges as crucial for public acceptance and participation, fostering informed decision-making and supportive behaviors toward renewable energy initiatives, energy justice ensures equitable access to the benefits of energy transitions, addressing socio-economic impacts on marginalized communities. The study identifies a scarcity of research that articulates and integrates energy literacy and justice concurrently within the purview of energy transition. The paper recommends the adoption, integration, and institutionalization of frameworks that concurrently propagate energy literacy and guide fair and equitable energy transitions. The frameworks should encourage active community involvement, promote community ownership of renewable energy projects, ensure transparency and inclusivity, implement measures for equitable economic benefits, protect livelihoods, address historical distrust, and leverage social media to promote energy literacy and justice. Finally, the continuous monitoring and evaluation of energy transition initiatives are crucial to ensure that they meet evolving societal needs and environmental goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accelerating renewable energy deployment is imperative to address the climate crisis, yet projects commonly face community resistance and local cancellation. Accordingly, interest has risen in social impact assessments (SIAs) to evaluate social viability and strengthen management. However, mainstream approaches overlook upstream political economy dynamics that shape projects and drive opposition. Analyzing renewable developments in Mexico reveals how international negotiations and national policies produce rushed, large-scale projects in marginalized territories, igniting rural social struggles. While SIA practices can be enhanced, upstream policies constrain their scope to reshape misaligned projects and performance to address complex sociocultural contexts. This prompts questioning why vulnerable regions bear concentrated impacts and the need to explore alternative development pathways, despite SIAs implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition toward renewable energy includes a need for equitable outcomes, yet a critical research gap exists in understanding the relationship between renewable energy deployment and energy justice within International Energy Agency (IEA) member nations. This study addresses this gap by thoroughly examining the influence of renewable energy deployment on energy justice across 23 IEA member nations from 1995 to 2020. We employ advanced econometric techniques such as the two-step system generalized method of the moment to investigate the linkage between renewable energy deployment and energy justice. By considering the various dimensions of energy justice, this study provides a holistic assessment of the positive linkage between renewable energy deployment and energy justice within IEA member nations. Significantly, we uncover that a greater share of renewable energy substantially enhances energy justice levels, highlighting the importance of renewable energy policies prioritizing social inclusion and justice. By shedding light on this relationship and addressing a critical research gap, our study contributes to advancing knowledge in renewable energy deployment and energy justice. These insights hold substantial implications for policymakers, providing valuable guidance for formulating policies and strategies that promote equitable and sustainable outcomes during the renewable energy transition.

This paper tells the story of off-grid remote renewable energy rollouts in Indigenous communities in Northern Australia. While the analysis is specific to Australia, it has broader lessons about incorporating Indigenous governance approaches into renewable energy rollouts so that Indigenous communities in financially constrained contexts share in the intended benefit of installed electricity systems. Using energy sociotechnical imaginaries and energy justice, the paper explores the emergence, impact and contemporary legacy of Bushlight (2002–2013), a government funded renewable energy program delivered by an Indigenous-led non-profit organisation. Bushlight was part of Australia's early efforts to build its renewable energy sector, operating with a dual mandate of decarbonisation and community development in Indigenous Homelands communities. Research draws on empirical data from qualitative research methods (interviews and participant observation) as well as archival records and other documentation. The analysis of sociotechnical imaginaries explains how collectives come together to anticipate and address distributional justice issues through policy development and how these collectives and their vision for renewable energy evolve through implementation. Tracing how these imaginaries extend into the present highlights the influence of broader socio-political dynamics shaping Indigenous-settler-colonial relations. The paper's findings have important implications for decolonisation, supporting Indigenous people to live on and care for Country while retaining their right to essential services.

The term sustainable energy is very familiar to all of us, yet its exact definition or meaning has so far been vague. To date, the widely adopted definition of sustainable energy has been inspired by the definition of sustainable development formulated more than 30 years ago in Our Common Future—the UN's Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development. The current definition conceals the true spirit of the report, and this has some ramifications. It raises the question as to whether we have put too much emphasis on attaining the future dimension of sustainability in the middle of a situation where energy survivability is in fact the real issue in many parts of the world. In this paper, the role of energy in sustaining the livelihoods of low-income communities is discussed. The existing definition of sustainable energy that the whole world seems to have embraced is looked at critically and its downsides exposed. The identified pillars of sustainable energy and the associated issues are discussed, and the need for an additional pillar, i.e., affordability, is discussed and called for. This paper will argue that the global definition of sustainable energy seems inappropriate and should be jettisoned, and a more realistic definition should be formulated, adopted, and embraced at the local (i.e., national or regional) level taking into account local attributes and factors. The current push for a transition from the reliance on conventional energy sources to "cleaner" energy sources (generally associated with renewable energy) has further exacerbated the issue of energy affordability that has made the conditions even more dire for so many groups of the world's population. In the midst of this situation, those who push for a rushed energy transition seem to be those who also produce an unsustainably high carbon footprint but who can easily offset their carbon footprint through the 'net-zero' concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Justice and sustainability are the foundation of fair and equitable biofuel development. Policies and practices are consequently necessary to support a just transition towards a low-carbon economy. Therefore, this study aimed to understand multi-actor perspectives on policies and practices relevant to the just transition in biofuel development. Applying a socio-legal approach based on the JUST framework, this study focused on the Indonesian biofuel industry, which is primarily driven by crude palm oil (CPO) production. This study also added comparative perspectives from Thailand's biofuel industry. The primary data were gathered from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs), while the secondary data were from research, policy, and other government archives. Based on the results, oil palm plantations in Indonesia and Thailand are crucial for macroeconomic development. However, smallholder farmers in Indonesia, especially independent ones that do not join farmer groups, remain marginalised by the current regulations. In fact, many benefits from biofuel practices and policies accumulate disproportionately towards large corporations, while marginalised groups bear the costs. The Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification that should induce market accessibility and competitiveness has not fully reached most rural farmers. Furthermore, various overlapping regulations and perplexing data differences exist from multiple ministries and administrative levels. Thus, palm oil stakeholders in Indonesia demand a dedicated institution for integrated regulation and monitoring of the industry, similar to the National Palm Oil Policy Committee in Thailand. The myriad of legal, political, socio-economic, and justice issues thus necessitates all hands on deck to ensure a just transition for all stakeholders of the Indonesian biofuel industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global shift to decarbonization and a sustainable economic development underscores the importance of a just energy transition. In 2019, Indonesia's energy sector accounted for 34.5 per cent of its total emissions (LULUCF included). While transitioning to green energy is paramount, it is laden with interwoven challenges encompassing technological innovation, infrastructure expansion, financing, and harmonizing socio-economic and environmental outcomes. At the heart of a just energy transition is the commitment to counteract potential setbacks, such as unemployment, ecological degradation, and ensuring equitable prospects within the transformative phase. This article delves into Indonesia's legislative and policy framework regarding energy transition, spotlighting the obstacles and potentialities of implementing current strategies as well as contemplating the formulation of future policies that champion justice in the energy metamorphosis. Our research methodology includes a literature review with extensive interviews with pivotal stakeholders. The goal is to gauge the ramifications of Indonesia's energy policies in their social, economic, and environmental dimensions. While Indonesia has an impressive potential in renewable energy resources, a distinct challenge remains – the absence of transparency in orchestrating a just energy transition. Forthcoming legislation and strategies should focus on community needs, particularly of marginalized people, ensuring that they benefit from a just energy transition. Incorporating stakeholders in policy deliberations is vital to shape comprehensive, inclusive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper surveys the energy literature and systematically reviews the path to an inclusive and sustainable energy transition by exploring factors that drive the current energy transitions, countries with advanced energy transition programs, and the roles of energy literacy and justice in energy transition. Utilizing an exhaustive literature search from 2001 to 2023 via the Scopus database, the study identifies strong policy frameworks, technological advancements, economic incentives, and international collaborations as pivotal factors in successful energy transitions. Case studies from the Nordic countries, Germany, and Poland highlight diverse approaches and significant progress, revealing valuable lessons for global application. Although energy literacy emerges as crucial for public acceptance and participation, fostering informed decision-making and supportive behaviors toward renewable energy initiatives, energy justice ensures equitable access to the benefits of energy transitions, addressing socio-economic impacts on marginalized communities. The study identifies a scarcity of research that articulates and integrates energy literacy and justice concurrently within the purview of energy transition. The paper recommends the adoption, integration, and institutionalization of frameworks that concurrently propagate energy literacy and guide fair and equitable energy transitions. The frameworks should encourage active community involvement, promote community ownership of renewable energy projects, ensure transparency and inclusivity, implement measures for equitable economic benefits, protect livelihoods, address historical distrust, and leverage social media to promote energy literacy and justice. Finally, the continuous monitoring and evaluation of energy transition initiatives are crucial to ensure that they meet evolving societal needs and environmental goals.

The increasing scarcity of resources and the escalating complexity of reality make the fairness ensuring in energy activities even more difficult. In this context, energy justice, as an emerging cross-field, tries to provide solutions based on practical problems. In the face of the surge of energy justice publications, it is necessary to review them in time, so that we can comprehend the significant achievements and the research directions worthy of further exploration. With the help of visualization tools, this paper conducts a comprehensive quantitative analysis of 1,910 energy justice publications. Based on the results, we reach the following main conclusions: (1) The energy justice publications have only emerged rapidly in recent years; (2) The research hotspots are closely related to the renewable energy transition; (3) The distribution of prominent contributors in this field is relatively concentrated. The main contribution of this study is to comprehensively display the essential characteristics of the literature in this field, such as the evolutions of research themes and the performances of research contributors in different dimensions, so as to provide readers with an effective way to understand the knowledge structure in this field, and help related researchers rationally examine the existing results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment plays a crucial role in the transition to renewable energy. However, comprehensive models that can effectively explain the variations in solar PV deployment are lacking. This study aims to address this gap by introducing two innovative models: (i) a computer vision model that can estimate spatial distribution of solar PV deployment across neighborhoods using satellite images and (ii) a machine learning (ML) model predicting such distribution based on 43 factors. Our computer vision model using Faster Regions with Convolutional Neural Network (Faster RCNN) achieved a mean Average Precision (mAP) of 81% for identifying solar panels and 95% for identifying roofs. Using this model, we analyzed 652,795 satellite images from Colorado, USA, and found that approximately 7% of households in Colorado have rooftop PV systems, while solar panels cover around 2.5% of roof areas in the state as of early 2021. Of our 16 predictive models, the XGBoost models performed the best, explaining approximately 70% of the variance in rooftop solar deployment. We also found that the share of Democratic party votes, hail and strong wind risks, median home value, the percentage of renters, and solar PV permitting timelines are the key predictors of rooftop solar deployment in Colorado. This study provides insights for business and policy decision making to support more efficient and equitable grid infrastructure investment and distributed energy resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Certain groups within society, such as the poor, the elderly, and those renting their homes, are at risk of bearing disproportionate costs from the transition to a low-carbon economy. These groups are particularly at risk of energyand climate-related injustices linked to their ability to purchase sufficient energy (low-carbon or otherwise) or to adequately heat or cool their homes. The Solar Saver programme in Melbourne, Australia, was an early attempt by Darebin City Council, a local government, to address these issues. The programme enables seniors, low-income residents, and tenants in the City of Darebin to install solar PV in their homes at no upfront cost. The system costs are repaid interest-free over 10 years through residents' council rates. This article assesses the success of the programme in reaching its target audience and achieving justice for participants in 2018 and 2019. We find that local councils are important and trusted delivery agents of household energy programmes. We also find that schemes like Solar Saver must be actively targeted to achieve energy- and climate-justice outcomes for residents who are at risk of energy poverty and disproportionate climate impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen is increasingly considered a vital element for the long-term decarbonization of the global energy system. For regions with scarce land resources, this means importing significant volumes of green hydrogen from regions with abundance of renewable energy. In producing countries, this raises significant sustainability questions related to production and export. To assess these sustainability-related opportunities and challenges, the authors first present a review of renewable energy deployment in the electricity sector, and then extend it to the foreseeable opportunities and risks of green hydrogen production in exporting countries. The paper finds that questions of freshwater and land availability are critical from an environmental and a socio-economic point of view, and that the development of international standards for the governance of hydrogen-related projects will be crucial. These should also address potential conflicts between the deployment of renewable energy for the decarbonization of local power grids, and the export of green hydrogen. • Production and export of GH raise questions of sustainability and climate justice. • Land and freshwater availability are key risks for local communities. • Community engagement is needed to mitigate local environmental risks factors. • International standards for governance of hydrogen projects are key to sustainability. • Climate-related risks should be included in sustainability standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Justice and sustainability are the foundation of fair and equitable biofuel development. Policies and practices are consequently necessary to support a just transition towards a low-carbon economy. Therefore, this study aimed to understand multi-actor perspectives on policies and practices relevant to the just transition in biofuel development. Applying a socio-legal approach based on the JUST framework, this study focused on the Indonesian biofuel industry, which is primarily driven by crude palm oil (CPO) production. This study also added comparative perspectives from Thailand’s biofuel industry. The primary data were gathered from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs), while the secondary data were from research, policy, and other government archives. Based on the results, oil palm plantations in Indonesia and Thailand are crucial for macroeconomic development. However, smallholder farmers in Indonesia, especially independent ones that do not join farmer groups, remain marginalised by the current regulations. In fact, many benefits from biofuel practices and policies accumulate disproportionately towards large corporations, while marginalised groups bear the costs. The Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification that should induce market accessibility and competitiveness has not fully reached most rural farmers. Furthermore, various overlapping regulations and perplexing data differences exist from multiple ministries and administrative levels. Thus, palm oil stakeholders in Indonesia demand a dedicated institution for integrated regulation and monitoring of the industry, similar to the National Palm Oil Policy Committee in Thailand. The myriad of legal, political, socio-economic, and justice issues thus necessitates all hands on deck to ensure a just transition for all stakeholders of the Indonesian biofuel industry.

Energy justice literature generally treats its three tenets, distributional justice, procedural justice and recognition justice, as separate and independent issues. These are seen as separate dimensions by which criteria can be formulated for a just state of affairs. And a just state of affairs regarding energy should fulfill all criteria. However, we show, using empirical research on six European energy communities that the tenets of energy justice are interdependent and negotiated in practice. We show this interdependency using three core concerns of justice—risk, effort and power—which we identified through our empirical work. Our findings reveal that community members are often willing to take risks and put in effort, if they are compensated with more power within the community. Similarly, members are willing to compromise power if no effort or risk-taking is required from them. This demonstrates the interdependency of the tenets “procedural justice” and “distributional justice” within energy communities. We reflect on the need for energy justice theory and policymakers to recognize the significance of this interdependency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent surge of studies from Europe has shown that membership bodies of community renewable energy (CRE) initiatives predominantly consist of affluent white men. This demographic concentration points at a disconnect between CRE activity and its often-assumed potential in simultaneously advancing decarbonisation and social justice. Through a triangulation of documentary policy analysis and interviews with leading members (N = 11) of renewable energy co-operatives (RE co-ops) in Ontario, Canada, this qualitative study sets out to identify factors driving the exclusion of marginalised and frontline communities from CRE initiatives. Findings reveal that a combination of inadequate policy support and complex preparatory activities in Ontario geared the pursuit of CRE development towards affluent, professional class groups with access to necessary practical capacities. To add insult to injury, RE co-ops responded to this precarious policy and regulatory environment by increasing their minimum investment requirements and targeting affluent individuals in their outreach activities, which rendered CRE ownership even more exclusionary for marginalised groups and resulted in the exacerbation of existing inequities between and within communities. Overall, this study reinforces the importance of marginalised groups' engagement in policy design processes and of explicitly addressing practical capacity inequities between and within communities to ensure just outcomes of CRE policies and activity. Further, it problematises the promotion of CRE activity through competitive energy procurement policies such as feed-in tariffs (FITs) as inherently advantageous for groups with greater and more immediate access to practical capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights The interdisciplinary nature of an energy transition. The implications for four South African energy policies. The identification of new research directions for energy justice.

Renewable energy has made significant inroads in addressing growing energy demands on the African continent. However, progress towards SDG 7 is still limited and difficult to trace. Furthermore, the results-oriented rationale of the SDGs means that both policy change and the dimension of environmental justice are not covered properly. We argue that the energy justice concept may provide a powerful tool to offset looming trade-offs and enhance the co-benefits of SDG 7 within broader transition endeavours. In doing so, we assess African energy transition processes based on a comparative mapping of African renewable energy policies in 34 countries. We investigate the scope of policy frameworks in order to analyse their contribution to greater energy justice along different justice dimensions. We then identify four transition scenarios, which reflect the challenges of integrating the justice dimension into renewable energy policies. In comparing these scenarios, we argue that SDG 7 tracking needs to consider the justice dimension to arrive at a more holistic implementation that is in line with socio-ecological justice and takes account of people’s energy needs.

This article explores the transition to renewable energy for all purposes in developing countries. Ethiopia is chosen as a case study and is an exemplary of developing countries with comparable climatic and socioeconomic conditions. The techno-economic analysis of the transition is performed with the LUT Energy System Transition model, while the socio-economic aspects are examined in terms of greenhouse gas emissions reduction, improved energy services and job creation. Six scenarios were developed, which examine various policy constraints, such as greenhouse gas emission cost. The Best Policy Scenarios cost less than the Current Policy Scenarios and generate more job. The results of this research show that it is least costing, least greenhouse gas emitting and most job-rich to gradually transition Ethiopia's energy system into one that is dominated by solar PV, complemented by wind energy and hydropower. The modelling outcome reveals that it is not only technically and economically possible to defossilise the Ethiopian energy system, but it is the least cost option with greatest societal welfare. This is a first of its kind study for the Ethiopian energy system from a long-term perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to avoid dangerous climate change and to satisfy the global energy needs energy systems have to change. Hopes are especially high in countries of the Global South for the low-carbon transition to propel sustainable development. Yet, while the energy transition provides opportunities, it also raises questions on how to avoid new global inequalities. This study presents the first quantitative approach to measure the extent to which the energy transitions in the Global South incorporate elements of energy justice. In doing so, this study builds on a rich literature on energy justice that differentiates between distributional, recognition, and procedural justice, thus taking into account social and development objectives such as affordability and accessibility of energy, the inclusion of marginalised parts of society, as well as broader community involvement and participation. Though much important conceptual and qualitative work has been done, what has been lacking so far is a quantitative measure of the degree to which the energy transition lives up to the imperative of energy justice, going beyond the much-studied Global North. The proposed energy justice index is designed and applied to select countries from Southeast Asia (Malaysia), sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya), the MENA region (Jordan), and Latin America (Chile). The index stands the test of the empirical application and demonstrates significant variation between countries along the different dimensions of energy justice. The study also emphasizes the importance of further testing and of improving data quality for informed policy making of energy justice issues in the Global South. [Display omitted] • The low carbon energy transition raises questions on how to avoid new global inequalities. • This study presents a quantitative index that measures energy justice in the Global South. • Four country case studies are empirically assessed: Kenya, Jordan, Chile, and Malaysia. • Results demonstrate significant variation along the different dimensions of energy justice. • The analysis also highlights the importance to improve data availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the potential for benefit-sharing from large-scale renewable energy projects in Australia on land held under customary ownership. I argue that the growing body of scholarship on accumulation by energy dispossessions needs to be balanced by attention to the opportunities for benefit-sharing by Indigenous landholding interests. I remain open to the possibility that rent-seeking can create value for historically marginalised and formerly dispossessed Indigenous communities. Following a recent sustained period of Aboriginal repossession of land, benefits can flow to Aboriginal landholders and managers based on the strength and durability of traditional and novel property rights, and their capacity to negotiate benefits. Drawing on the extensive literature on mining negotiations in Australia, I focus on the significant role that the law plays in shaping benefit-sharing opportunities particularly through a procedural right of veto for Indigenous interests. Overall the legal procedural protections for Indigenous landholders are weaker for large scale renewable energy developments than for minerals extraction, and stronger under one legislative regime (Land Rights) than another (Native Title). This analysis shows how the law is both a site of struggle over benefit-sharing and can shape socio-spatially differentiated outcomes. I call for greater analysis of the relationship between rent-seeking, reparation and energy justice, with an emphasis on the distribution of benefits not just burdens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy has made significant inroads in addressing growing energy demands on the African continent. However, progress towards SDG 7 is still limited and difficult to trace. Furthermore, the results-oriented rationale of the SDGs means that both policy change and the dimension of environmental justice are not covered properly. We argue that the energy justice concept may provide a powerful tool to offset looming trade-offs and enhance the co-benefits of SDG 7 within broader transition endeavours. In doing so, we assess African energy transition processes based on a comparative mapping of African renewable energy policies in 34 countries. We investigate the scope of policy frameworks in order to analyse their contribution to greater energy justice along different justice dimensions. We then identify four transition scenarios, which reflect the challenges of integrating the justice dimension into renewable energy policies. In comparing these scenarios, we argue that SDG 7 tracking needs to consider the justice dimension to arrive at a more holistic implementation that is in line with socio-ecological justice and takes account of people's energy needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transitions literature has framed energy transitions as a process involving material and social consequences. Such radical changes can also be viewed as constituting discursive dimensions, involving debate, idea exchange and value positioning. The implementation of a biomass energy system in residential buildings in a socioeconomically deprived community near Liverpool, UK, is investigated for its acceptance by, and impacts on, the community. A mixed-methods approach involving questionnaire, focus group and interview data reveal how practical, on-the-ground energy transitions are understood at the community level. Given the changes to how residents pay for their energy in the study community, from prepayment meters to pay-as-you-use methods, considerations of ‘efficiency’ are debated and framed on the cost of energy rather than from an environmental performance perspective. Although the intention of low-carbon energy transitions in low-income communities is to deliver economic and environmental benefits, many unintended social consequences arose from top-down decision-making choices and implementation mechanisms. These processes exacerbate economic inequalities and inequities. Justice implications arising from this study have clear repercussions for future implementation of similar, and additional, sustainability interventions that attempt to address climate change in the built environment. 'Practice relevance' The successful implementation of a decentralised energy system requires more than a technological approach. This case study emphasises the need for extensive community engagement when undertaking local energy transitions. In particular, attention needs to be given to how vulnerable people are affected by pricing and given clear information on how to use the new system. Policy recommendations include: the choice of energy technologies should not disrupt vulnerable residents’ daily routines and ability to pay; the provision of substantial pre-, during and post-installation community engagement is needed to improve familiarity with new energy systems; and adequate opportunities for listening and responding to residents’ concerns prior, during, and after the installation of low-carbon energy systems.

Agrivoltaics comprises solar energy generation and agricultural activities co-located to create multi-purpose agricultural solar energy systems. In 2021, the global agrivoltaics sector was valued at USD $3.6 billion and is projected to grow to USD $9.3 billion by 2031. Agrivoltaics projects have successfully attracted increasing investment and research demonstrating the technical, economic, and scientific rationale to advance agrivoltaics as a crucial technology to achieve net zero emissions goals. The legal framework enabling agrivoltaics development is at varying stages of maturity across different jurisdictions. This study provides the first socio-legal study of agrivoltaics development applying an energy justice framework. It comparatively analyses the mature agrivoltaics sectors, laws, and policies in Massachusetts (United States of America) and Japan in a functional comparative analysis with New South Wales (Australia) applying the three principal pillars of energy justice; recognition, procedural, and distributive justice. This study demonstrates how energy justice can generate a framework for regulatory reform. Such reform can facilitate the expansion of agrivoltaics and unlock the full potential of co-locating of solar energy and agriculture. [Display omitted] • Agrivoltaics refers to co-location of solar energy on agricultural land. • Agrivoltaics will benefit from the application of energy justice. • Three key functions applicable to agrivoltaics are analysed. • Justice-driven framework can activate the full potential of agrivoltaics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy justice is increasingly being used as a framework to conceptualize the impacts of energy decision making in more holistic ways and to consider the social implications in terms of existing ethical values. Similarly, renewable energy technologies are increasingly being promoted for their environmental and social benefits. However, little work has been done to systematically examine the extent to which, in what ways and in what contexts, renewable energy technologies can contribute to achieving energy justice. This paper assesses the potential of renewable electricity technologies to address energy justice in various global contexts via a systematic review of existing studies analyzed in terms of the principles and dimensions of energy justice. Based on publications including peer reviewed academic literature, books, and in some cases reports by government or international organizations, we assess renewable electricity technologies in both grid integrated and off-grid use contexts. We conduct our investigation through the rubric of the affirmative and prohibitive principles of energy justice and in terms of its temporal, geographic, socio-political, economic, and technological dimensions. Renewable electricity technology development has and continue to have different impacts in different social contexts, and by considering the different impacts explicitly across global contexts, including differences between rural and urban contexts, this paper contributes to identifying and understanding how, in what ways, and in what particular conditions and circumstances renewable electricity technologies may correspond with or work to promote energy justice.

Global climate change has prompted many national plans for rapid emissions reductions. For example, the United States recently committed to transitioning to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050. Parallel to conversations surrounding emissions reductions is the call for energy justice, or the demand for more equitable distribution of energy-related burdens and benefits among communities. To date, energy justice has evolved as a mostly academic conversation, which may limit its utility to praxis. In response, we offer an interdisciplinary framework that aims to organize existing knowledge and lessons learned from energy development. Specifically, we developed the Meaningful Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) Development Framework and conducted a literature review using MRE as a case study. MRE was chosen because it is a nascent renewable energy technology in the US with projects mostly in demonstration stages and no commercial deployment, making it a useful case study to apply lessons learned from other energy sectors and other countries. Discussion of current resources being developed among the MRE community and their implications for furthering energy justice priorities are also explored. We conclude the review with a compiled list of questions meant to support stakeholders in translating theoretical concepts of Meaningful MRE Development to practice. Although the Meaningful MRE framework was developed using MRE as a use case, our interdisciplinary theoretical framework can be applied beyond MRE to other sustainable and renewable energy projects. • Energy Justice as an academic conversation may limit its utility to praxis. • Meaningful MRE development framework emerges from literature review and theoretical synthesis. • The Meaningful MRE development framework is adaptable to other energy projects. • Community-level data accessibility are critical components of energy justice. • Guiding list of questions may help to engage the community and promote trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deployment of renewable technologies as part of climate mitigation strategies have provoked a range of responses from various actors, bringing public acceptance to the forefront of energy debates. A key example is the reaction of communities when renewable projects are proposed in their local areas. This paper analyses the effect that community acceptance has had on planning applications for onshore wind and solar farms in Great Britain between 1990 and 2017. It does this by compiling a set of indicators for community acceptance and testing their association with planning outcomes using binomial logistic regression. It identifies 12 variables with statistically significant effects: 4 for onshore wind, 4 for solar farms, and 4 spanning both. For both technologies, the visibility of a project, its installed capacity, the social deprivation of the area, and the year of the application are significant. The paper draws conclusions from these results for community acceptance and energy justice, and discusses the implications for energy decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]