Temporality, consumption, and conflict: exploring user-based injustices in European low-carbon transitions

The (in)justices of smart local energy systems: A systematic review, integrated framework, and future research agenda

“…At its heart energy justice is about: a) the balanced distribution of costs and benefits across society [157]; b) recognising individuals and treating them fairly [37]; and c) inclusive decision making processes that are open to all relevant stakeholders [158]. Whilst a large number of studies aimed at better understanding the (in)justices that exist within current energy systems [3,4], we do not fully understand the energy justice impacts of smart local energy systems, which are becoming increasingly common. Furthermore, whilst many governments advocate SLES as a means to reach their decarbonisation goals [7,21], much remains unknown about the wider changes necessary to ensure these projects support energy justice.…”

“…This affords them the privilege of choice, creating a basis for injustice between higher and lower income households and communities [112]. Adoption is purely based on individual means and the choices this affords [4].…”

“…Expanding the energy justice impacts beyond the local level can enhance wider energy justice debates. For example, Martiskainen et al, [4] highlight that the production of solar PV and lithium batteries which fuel many local energy initiatives creates inequalities in the countries where minerals are mined and technologies manufactured.…”

“…The costs and benefits associated with satisfying our energy needs are unevenly distributed across society [1,2]. These injustices are widespread across the energy system and take a variety of forms [3,4]. They include, for example, high levels of energy poverty in wealthy countries that are net exporters [5], or lower income households paying proportionally more towards government policy costs through their energy bills [6].…”

“…There are a potential myriad of antecedents -i.e. preceding events, conditions, barriers or causes -that drive these energy (in)justices [3,4] -yet efforts to integrate both smart and local energy system literature have been slow to emerge [17].…”