Characterizing ‘injustices’ in clean energy transitions in Africa

Akrofi, Mark M., McLellan, Benjamin C. and Okitasari, Mahesti, (2024). Characterizing ‘injustices’ in clean energy transitions in Africa. Energy for Sustainable Development, 83 n/a-n/a

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  • Sub-type Journal article
    Author Akrofi, Mark M.
    McLellan, Benjamin C.
    Okitasari, Mahesti
    Title Characterizing ‘injustices’ in clean energy transitions in Africa
    Appearing in Energy for Sustainable Development
    Volume 83
    Publication Date 2024-09-12
    Place of Publication Amsterdam
    Publisher Elsevier B.V.
    Start page n/a
    End page n/a
    Language eng
    Abstract The global shift towards renewable energy sources presents promising prospects for environmental sustainability and social welfare. However, without proper management, this transition risks exacerbating disparities, creating winners and losers in the process. Achieving a just energy transition demands equitable distribution of benefits and costs alongside inclusive decision-making processes. Nonetheless, transition dynamics vary widely across contexts, necessitating a nuanced understanding of local specificities. This study identifies and characterizes injustices within renewable energy projects in Africa through a systematic review of 26 studies from 11 countries. Using content and thematic analysis supported by Atlas.ti software, various forms of injustice — distributive, procedural, recognition, and restorative — were delineated. Distributive injustices accounted for 58 % of all injustices, while procedural, restorative and recognition injustices accounted for 18 %, 15 %, and 9 %, respectively. Distributive injustices primarily arose from project siting, resource conflicts, the objectives of the renewable energy projects (grid stability vs local connectivity), and disparities in job creation. Procedural injustices manifested as regime dominance and limited community participation. Restorative injustices often manifested as inadequate mitigative measures and compensation, while marginalization and inadequate representation of vulnerable and minority groups underscored recognition injustices. The effects of these injustices included inequalities (49 %), resource dispossession (18 %), institutional lock-in (12 %), resource strains (6 %), and migration of labor force (6 %), among others. Additionally, the study highlights potentially misconstrued injustices arising from local communities' misunderstanding of the objectives and benefits of renewable energy projects in their localities. Overall, the findings underscore the subjective and context-specific nature of justice in energy transitions, emphasizing the need to consider contextual factors when delineating what injustices are in clean energy initiatives across diverse African contexts.
    UNBIS Thesaurus AFRICA
    RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
    SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
    SOCIAL JUSTICE
    Keyword Just transition
    Copyright Holder The Authors
    Copyright Year 2024
    Copyright type Creative commons
    DOI 10.1016/j.esd.2024.101546
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    Created: Wed, 18 Sep 2024, 13:06:41 JST by Hanna Takemoto on behalf of UNU IAS