Energy justice in practice: Working together for an inclusive transition

How can we ensure that everyone is able to participate in the energy transition? And what and who is needed to achieve this? These questions surrounding ‘energy justice in practice’ were the focus of the fifth learning lab of the Just Prepare project in Amsterdam on February 4th.

When we think of justice, we may quickly think of fair distribution, for example, of the costs and benefits of the energy transition (distributive justice). But these concepts also require attention to who actually participates in energy transition projects, from the initial ideas to the decisions and implementation (procedural justice) and whether these voices are taken into account in an equal manner (recognitive justice). In addition, it is also important to look at the history of the process: is it necessary to redress previous injustices before new measures are taken? (restorative justice)

With more than 60 participants from research, the professional field, and society, we examined what concepts such as distributive, procedural, restorative, and recognition justice actually mean in the practice of the local energy transition. The workshops highlighted the importance of a holistic approach and cooperation in order to achieve inclusive decision-making. Awareness within one's own organization is an important part of this. In addition, the importance of sharing experiences was mentioned in order to move from individual cases to a more collective approach.

“If I pay more attention in my work to the diversity of experiences and how to value them, then together we will come closer to recognition justice in the energy transition.”  

Imrat Verhoeven (University of Amsterdam/Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences) then added to this discussion with a number of observations from the Just Prepare project, in which energy justice should be seen as an interactionHereby, it is important, for example, that residents are involved in the design of policy, not just in its implementation. Residents who are allowed to participate in decision-making are more often willing to share the burden. Recognition justice requires that listening also leads to action and results. For example, small measures that can be taken immediately (such as minor insulation and draught-proofing measures) can immediately bring about improvements that make people feel heard and seen.

Vervolgens nam Robert Duiveman (Instituut voor Publieke Waarden) het publiek aan de hand van de casus van Chantal mee in de onverwachte uitkomsten van verduurzaming bij VVE’s en de dilemma’s die dit oplevert. Hij riep hierbij op goed te letten op onbedoelde effecten van beleid en de noodzaak om goed stil te staan op welk type rechtvaardigheid je je beroept en te zorgen dat je dit in het hele proces, tot met de uitvoering, borgt en checkt. Dit betekent dat de gemeenschap een plek aan tafel moet krijgen en de regels daarbij dienend moeten zijn in plaats van andersom.

The afternoon concluded with a panel discussion between Aman Walia (Groene Hub), Lennart Zwols (Municipality of Amsterdam), Robert Duiveman (IPW), Imrat Verhoeven (University of Amsterdam/Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences), and the audience. A variety of topics were discussed, such as the utopian nature of energy justice and the costs of energy.

The afternoon clearly showed that cooperation, inclusive decision-making, and attention to diverse experiences are essential to achieving a just energy transition together.

With thanks to chairpersons Maarten van Poelgeest and Lenneke Kuijer, keynote speakers Imrat Verhoeven and Robert Duiveman, panel members Aman Walia and Lennart Zwols, all workshop facilitators (Wil van den Hurk (Lingewaard Welfare Organization), Bonnie Teunissen (HAN/Avalon), Karin Landsbergen (HAN), Hanna Kreuger (Arcadis), Charissa Leiwakabessy (University of Amsterdam), Imrad Veroeven (University of Amsterdam/Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences), Anna de Zeeuw (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences), Rosa Koetsenruijter (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences), Djoera Eerland (BuurKracht), and Simone van Wieringen (Radboud University)), and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences for their warm welcome and facilities.