Energy Justice and the Capability Approach—Introduction to the Special Issue

Melin, Anders; Day, Rosie; Jenkins, Kirsten

doi:10.1080/19452829.2021.1909546

Cited by 15 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…There are also social benefits resulting from lower bills paid by households. Therefore, many authors in their research analyze this topic in the context of energy sensitivity and focus on the ethical discussions conceptualizing the relationship between capabilities and energy vulnerability [57], energy poverty [58], energy justice [59], and operationalizing energy justice [60].…”

Section: Energy Efficiency and Householdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of the Global Energy Crisis on Energy Efficiency: A Comprehensive Analysis

Gajdzik,

Wolniak,

Nagaj

et al. 2024

Energies

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The global energy crisis, which began in 2021 due to the extraordinary economic recovery after the pandemic and intensified after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has changed the conditions of energy management, paying more attention to energy efficiency. Natural gas prices have reached record levels and, consequently, so have electricity prices in some markets. Oil prices have reached their highest level since 2008. Higher energy prices have contributed to sharply increased inflation. Households are again becoming interested in buying coal as a source of heat. High energy and gas prices have pushed many families into poverty and forced some factories to cut production or even close. They have also slowed economic growth to the point where some countries are heading for a serious recession. Paradoxically, the negative effects of the energy crisis may accelerate the introduction of cleaner, sustainable, renewable energy such as wind and solar energy. The energy crisis is comparable to the oil crisis of the 1970s, when it contributed to significant advances in energy efficiency. The current crisis has highlighted the importance of investments in renewable energy resources and initiated the process of integrating regional markets, developing energy efficiency and promoting renewable energies. The aim of this article is to comprehensively explore the complex relationship between energy awareness, consumption patterns, and energy efficiency, with a focus on both individual consumers and industries, during the global energy crisis. This paper is based on a literature review, overarching policy documents, energy reports, and other secondary documents. The primary research method was the systematic literature review method, based on which the impact of the global energy crisis on energy efficiency was evaluated. This study emphasizes the diverse influences on energy awareness, ranging from economic factors to consumer preferences and environmental consciousness. The findings of the paper underscore the significant responsibility of industries in contributing to energy-saving efforts and the active role of consumers in the energy market. The responsibility of industries in contributing to energy efficiency is highlighted, with a call for a comprehensive approach that integrates energy-saving criteria into product development and corporate social responsibility.

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Section: Energy Efficiency and Householdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of the Global Energy Crisis on Energy Efficiency: A Comprehensive Analysis

Gajdzik,

Wolniak,

Nagaj

et al. 2024

Energies

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“…The CA has influenced several studies that have linked the CA with energy research. Melin et al (2021) in their introduction to a special issue on energy justice and the CA offer a comprehensive account of work that has been done to date. Wood and Roelich (2020) use Nussbaum's central capabilities to propose a pluralistic appeal to the three tenets of energy justice to integrate a 'broader range of moral approaches and concepts' .…”

Section: Usefulness Of the Ca To Analyse Well-being Impacts Of Energy...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A capability approach to analyse well-being impacts of wind energy infrastructure

Velasco-Herrejón,

López Toledo,

Romo López

et al. 2024

Environ. Res.: Infrastruct. Sustain.

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Despite the large existing body of empirical research on perceptions and motives of social opposition to wind energy infrastructure, challenges remain in understanding the impacts of turbines on the well-being of the communities where they are installed and how these reflect acceptance at the local level. This paper revisits a capability approach to analyse the impacts of wind energy developments on the well-being of neighbouring communities in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico, while expanding the depiction of the participatory mixed methodology used to identify valuable human capabilities. The study shows how the inclusion of community members as co-researchers is crucial to validate and locate Indigenous knowledge at the forefront while allowing local people to exercise greater voice and agency in how the research is conducted and designed. The methodology involved a three-stage process that integrated semi-structured interviews, focus groups, a survey, and participatory workshops, involving 450 participants. The findings conclude that community acceptability of energy infrastructure such as wind farms will only be achieved through inclusive community engagement that considers valued ways of being and doing of the local population. These include increasing the opportunities for people to live in good health, skilled employment in the industry, engaging and integrating local culture, values, worldviews and needs, and having a collective approach to the distribution of economic benefits that may strengthen social networks.

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“…Recognition justice refers to recognition of the diversity of identities and experiences in different groups or communities (Schlosberg 2004), and this emphasizes the importance of identifying the distinct needs and vulnerabilities of communities impacted by energy systems. While these dimensions are most commonly cited throughout the energy justice literature, other scholars and frameworks integrate additional dimensions including restorative justice, cosmopolitan justice, and the capabilities approach (Sovacool and Dworkin 2015, McCauley and Heffron 2018, Melin et al 2021.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating equity and justice in low-carbon energy transitions

Kime,

Jacome,

Pellow

et al. 2023

Environ. Res. Lett.

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A low-carbon energy transition is essential for mitigating climate change, but can also cause energy justice and equity impacts on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), low-income, and other frontline communities. Examples include exacerbating energy burden, inaccessibility and unaffordability of low-carbon energy and electric end-use technologies, property value loss and displacement from renewable energy siting, and unequal health benefits and employment losses from fossil fuel retirement. To avoid perpetuating historical and creating new injustices, an equitable and just energy transition will require careful planning and execution. To this end, measuring and evaluating the effects of existing and proposed programs and policies aimed at decarbonizing energy systems is critical. However, methods and metrics for evaluating equity effects vary across disciplines and transitions, making it challenging to identify effective evaluation strategies. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the equity implications of low-carbon energy transitions and identifies key metrics that have been used across disciplines to quantify energy injustices and equity impacts. We focus on four key low-carbon energy transitions: (1) renewable energy deployment; (2) fossil fuel infrastructure retirement; (3) transportation electrification; and (4) residential building decarbonization. We classify energy justice and equity metrics into the dimensions of health, access, and livelihood, and construct an analytical framework that supports policymakers, planners and other stakeholders in identifying important equity considerations and quantitatively evaluating the effects of decarbonization initiatives. While our framework can serve as a starting point for evaluating justice and equity impacts of energy transitions, further work is needed to address the limitations of existing metrics and additional evaluation methods will be critical to effect energy transitions that are truly equitable.

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Energy Justice and the Capability Approach—Introduction to the Special Issue

Cited by 15 publications

References 33 publications

The Influence of the Global Energy Crisis on Energy Efficiency: A Comprehensive Analysis

The Influence of the Global Energy Crisis on Energy Efficiency: A Comprehensive Analysis

A capability approach to analyse well-being impacts of wind energy infrastructure

Evaluating equity and justice in low-carbon energy transitions

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