Considerations for a just and equitable energy transition

The paper examines the dimensions of a just and equitable energy transition, moving beyond the impacts on fossil fuel-dependent workers to analyze the risks associated with clean energy supply chains. It identifies five forms of justice—distributional, procedural, recognition, restorative, and cosmopolitan—and emphasizes the necessity of respecting human rights, particularly for Indigenous peoples, throughout the energy lifecycle. The authors highlight the risks of human rights violations in critical mineral extraction and the potential for 'green' projects to cause displacement. They advocate for community benefit-sharing, quality job creation, and international cooperation to ensure that the economic benefits of the transition do not exacerbate existing inequalities.

• A sustainable energy transition requires a 'just and equitable' approach, which the authors define as a shift from fossil fuel-dominated systems to renewable energy where both the process and the end state address justice and equity concerns.
• The authors identify five broad forms of justice essential to the transition: distributional (costs and benefits), procedural (due process and governance), recognition (rights of marginalized groups and nature), restorative (supporting victims and decommissioning), and cosmopolitan (cross-border effects).
• While renewable energy is environmentally superior, it is not free of human rights risks; over 200 allegations of human rights violations by renewable energy projects were recorded in the 10 years prior to the report, with nearly half linked to solar and wind.
• The transition's reliance on critical minerals like cobalt, copper, lithium, and nickel is linked to documented human rights violations and health impacts. The IEA projects the 2040 market for these minerals will exceed USD 400 billion annually under a net zero scenario.
• Indigenous peoples face specific risks from the energy transition, including the expansion of mining and land demands for renewables. The authors emphasize the need for Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) to protect their rights and self-determination.
• Community benefit-sharing, such as local taxation, community ownership, and 'community benefit packages', is critical for public acceptance and local economic empowerment, though evidence of such models in developing countries is limited.
• The transition involves significant financial risks and legacy costs, including stranded assets. Estimates suggest between USD 1 and 4 trillion of fossil fuel assets could be written off, with developing countries potentially bearing the brunt due to newer coal fleets.

APA

Cabré, M. M., & Vega-Araújo, J. (2022). Considerations for a just and equitable energy transition. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/energy-transitions-stockholm50backgroundpaper.pdf

Chicago

Cabré, Miquel Muñoz, and José Vega-Araújo. Considerations for a just and equitable energy transition. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2022. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/energy-transitions-stockholm50backgroundpaper.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Cabré |first1=Miquel Muñoz |last2=Vega-Araújo |first2=José |title=Considerations for a just and equitable energy transition |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=May 2022 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/energy-transitions-stockholm50backgroundpaper.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cabr2022considerations, author = {Cabré, Miquel Muñoz and Vega-Araújo, José}, title = {{Considerations for a just and equitable energy transition}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2022}, month = may, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/energy-transitions-stockholm50backgroundpaper.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }