The temporalities of energy justice: Examining India’s energy policy paradox using non-western philosophy

Abstract

Energy justice is an emerging concept that informs policymakers on the just distribution of, and access to energy services. However, research on how policy grounded in energy justice may facilitate greater intergenerational equity is few and far between. Additionally, energy justice as a decision-making framework has mostly been based in western thought, through its application in developed country contexts. The value of non-Western philosophies in advancing the energy justice literature has received little attention. In this paper, we address these gaps by drawing upon Amartya Sen’s interpretation of the Hindu Bhagavad Gita, using this to conceptualise a temporal energy justice decision-making framework that builds on the Gita’s time-based notions of ‘duty-focused’ and ‘consequence-sensitive’ decision outcomes. We apply this framework to study India’s energy landscape and underlying tensions, largely emanating from a steadfast policy focus on alleviating energy poverty in the short-term whilst also committing to a low carbon energy transition for the future. We advocate for the need to move beyond this dichotomous focus on duty versus consequence, and pursue a policy position reflected in the understanding of realised justice – an inclusive and comprehensive account of just outcomes from both an intra- and inter-generational perspective.