Energy justice in urban energy transitions

Abstract

Cities are increasingly seen as important places to govern the energy transition. Even though transitions require major changes that have significant societal influence, the consideration of justice within energy policy is limited. As the energy transition is governed through multiple levels of governance, it is essential to study who has the power to allocate benefits and burdens across areas of society. This study builds on previous research by combining the concepts of energy justice and multi-level governance to explore the role of local governance actors in promoting just urban energy transitions.

This research analysed the case study of the LIFE project in Amsterdam, which aims to develop an inclusive energy platform for the neighbourhood and specifically included social goals. The study specifically focused on whether the LIFE project could be considered just for the local residents. Through desk study, semi-structured interviews and additional data analysis, this research aimed to answer the following research question: “How is energy justice understood by local governance actors of urban low-carbon energy transitions and how is its implementation influenced by a multi-level governance context?”.

The first part of the research compared the values of local governance actors, resident representatives and residents regarding the LIFE project across the three tenets of energy justice; distributional, procedural and recognitional. The results showed that among local governance actors different emphasis was placed on including local residents and vulnerable groups among them and that they had a narrow view of distributional justice. They make an effort to include elements of energy justice but lack in aligning their view of what is considered just with the view of residents.

The second part of the research showed that European and national levels of governance influence local governments by determining the overall direction of the energy transition, setting the legal framework and funding municipalities. Local governance actors are, however, more influential over elements of energy justice within the local implementation of energy strategies and projects, as they can use their policy instruments to decrease financial inequalities, improve elements of procedural justice and specifically target disadvantaged groups by promoting social initiatives.

This study showed that even when energy projects specifically include social goals, this does not necessarily result in just decision-making. All in all, local governance actors could do more to promote just transitions by enhancing their understanding of energy justice ansld broadening the implementation of local policy instruments