Claiming Justice Matters in Energy Politics: Why Energy Policy Is Not Only About Economic or Ecological Issues, but Also Fundamental Requires the Consideration of Impacts on Social Justice

Energy policy is one of today’s major challenges for modern societies. The question whether and to what extent we haveaccess to energy highly affects our everyday lives. Moreover, impacts from energy usage – notably from greenhouse gas[GHG] emissions, or from changes in land use – upon living conditions may be tremendous, from the local to the globalscale. It is therefore of great importance to further think, speak, and discuss about future trajectories of energy productionand supply. From a leftist perspective, it is important that these considerations do not only address economic or ecologicalissues on a broader scale, but further include ethical considerations of a socially just energy future. Moreover, in view ofdecreasing production costs for renewable energy technology and rising awareness about climate change impacts all overthe world, it is the right time to place the topic of energy justice more prominently on domestic and international agendasand link it to ongoing debates on climate change, development, economic growth, sustainability, and so on. This must bedone by applying a broad understanding of social justice, taking into account the full range of justice issues, including thedistribution of costs and benefits as well as recognition-related aspects connected to energy production and supply.