Is Energy Justice in the Fossil Fuel Industry a Paradox?

Abstract

Globally, the attempts to reverse the anthropogenic effects of climate change have led to burgeoning scholarship on ‘energy justice’. Energy Justice focuses on: (1) mitigating injustices associated with energy systems, (2) fairly distributing both the burdens and benefits of energy systems, and (3) having impartial and representative decision-making. Using notions such as recognition, procedural, distribution, and restorative justice, it informs energy system stakeholders to provide equitable energy services to all. Currently, there are some inherent injustices (such as climate change) that are associated with the fossil fuel-based energy system. These distinctive injustices make the transition away from fossil fuels inevitable. However, the global energy mix suggests that fossil fuels will still have a significant role in future. There is, therefore, a gap between the desired low-carbon future and present realities. This disparity is evinced by the exclusion or absence of key actors (the fossil fuel industry) in energy justice strategies. This chapter examines how energy justice principles can be applied to the fossil fuel industry even as the transition to more sustainable energy sources is pursued. It advances two key themes: First, how energy justice may balance the energy trilemma in the fossil fuel industry. Second, it proposes the immediate application of energy justice principles to the fossil fuel industry.