The Just Energy Essays

From January to March 2023, we published the nine-part series 'The Just Energy Essays' in collaboration with online publication Energeia. We invite researchers and experts in philosophy, sociology, political science, gender, law, etc. to explore different perspectives on justice in the energy transition.

In light of the ongoing climate crisis, the earthquakes in Groningen, the media attention for conflicts about wind farms and data centres, and even more so because of Russia's aggressive invasion of Ukraine, which has resulted in an uneven impact of high prices and inflation, the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy has been placed high on the political agenda. This has fueled heated debates about present and future energy transitions in the Netherlands. There seems to be no doubt that climate and energy policy needs to address justice. Yet, it remains unclear how we get to a just energy transition.

A better understanding of the specific challenges, dilemmas, and mechanisms is essential for shaping just energy transitions. Therefore, these essays will offer new, interdisciplinary perspectives and touch upon different aspects of what can be considered a just energy transition. We invite researchers and experts in philosophy, sociology, political science, gender, law, etc., to explore different perspectives on how and when justice is served in the energy transition.

*The original essays are written in Dutch and will be translated into English later this year. For more information on this series, contact dr. Jesse Hoffman (j.g.hoffman@uu.nl).