How can policy and policymaking foster climate justice? A qualitative systematic review

Abstract

Background: Climate change research has established a clear requirement for policy and policymaking: (1) transformational changes in policy and policymaking to foster (2) ‘climate justice’, including a ‘just transition’ (a movement towards environmental sustainability with equitable processes and outcomes). However, there is a major gap between these requirements and actual policies and policy processes. We identify how researchers use policy theories to understand this gap. Methods: We conducted a qualitative systematic review (2022) to identify peer reviewed journal articles on climate change, policy, justice, and equity in three databases (Web of Science, Scopus, Proquest). Each article had to provide a non-trivial reference to policymaking. We used an immersive and inductive approach to identify key themes and show how the use of policy theories informs climate change research. Results: A total of 108 texts meet the inclusion criteria (with some bias towards Global North research since all texts are in English). Most provide general definitions of climate justice, require fair outcomes and processes, and list what is required to meet those aims. However, they also identify unjust processes and outcomes in relation to who is recognised, gets to define the problem, and wins or loses from solutions. Researchers contrast their preferred social justice approach (informing ‘civic environmentalism) to a dominant neoliberal approach (corresponding to weak ‘ecological modernization’). Conclusions: Researchers focus on what they need from policy and policymaking to produce climate justice. Few engage meaningfully with policy theories to describe how policymaking actually works. More engagement would help to set meaningful expectations regarding policy change and avoid a needless tendency to treat policymaking like a ‘black box’.

Energy asset stranding in resource-rich developing countries and the just transition - A framework to push research frontiers

“…Profiting from importing fossil fuel and leaving exporting nations alone with the consequences of climate policy is not in line with procedural justice, necessary for a just (energy) transition. Considering energy justice aspects is relevant for policy makers (Cairney et al, 2023) and economists as part of their social responsibility (Roos and Hoffart, 2021), because poorly designed policies might amplify existing inequalities and create opposition against climate mitigation (Aklin and Mildenberger, 2020). We argue that adequate compensation measure should be (1) politically feasible and (2) in line with just energy transition (Acemoglu and Robinson, 2013;Hoffart et al, 2021).…”