An opportunity not to be missed: why and how the Clean Energy Transition should be just and contribute to a fairer Europe

In this workshop, we bring together academics, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore how to make the European clean energy transition a just energy transition. Our point of departure is a recent white paper, led by members of the European Energy Research Alliance. We look at the just energy transition from the perspectives of distributional, procedural, and recognitional justice.  In this workshop, we endeavour to explore this topic deeper with the goal of producing an outline of tangible approaches in the form of a policy brief for the European Commission and national governments.

Programme

09:00-09:05   Opening and Greetings

09:05-09:45   Presentation and Discussion

(09:05-09:25) Siddharth Sareen (University of Stavanger), “Just transitions require a culture of accountable decision-making“
As digitalising energy systems connect multiple sectors, their transition targets must correspond. Public pressure can promote metrics that enable equitable low-carbon futures.

(09:25-09:45)  Presentation and Discussion on the theme of Energy Justice (Kirsten Jenkins, University of Edinburgh)

(09:45-10:05)   Søren Hermansen (Samsø Energy Academy) , “Top down- to bottom up - A community example of involvement and a feeling of ownership.”
Denmark has been very focused on the transition from oil to renewable energy. There are several examples in local communities and the most famous is Samsø the Danish Renewable Energy Island who won a competition to be the danish example and showcased in just 10 years it was possible to change from fossil files to green local energy. This session is about the process in this transition. Why did it succeed and how did we do it?

(10:05-10:25)   Aurora Recio González (Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica), “Just Transition in Spain: one of the pillars of the Strategic Energy and Climate Framework”
Spanish point of view of the energy transition contribution to a fairer Europe. The institutional role to encourage just transition through innovation.

(10:25-10:45)   Presentation and Discussion on the theme of Energy Justice (Lee Hodder,GALP Energia)

10:45-10:50   Pause

10:50-11:10   Presentation of the draft of the EERA White Paper on Just Energy Ttransitions in Europe

11:10-11:35   Discussion

11:35-12:30   Lunch break

12:30-13:40   Thematic sessions on Just Energy Transition specific aspects and policies: organised by group interest

13:40-14:10   Report from groups

14:10-14:30   Final discussion

Dr Kirsten Jenkins is an early career Lecturer in Energy, Environment and Society within the Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (STIS) group of the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. Her research interests focus on all things “energy” and particularly, on the social justice issues created by its production and use. In the context of the energy transitions, she is interested in knowing how we can make ethically sound energy decisions that locate energy infrastructure equitably, recognise the correct people and their needs, and about the use of appropriate decision-making techniques.

Ms. Aurora Recio is an engineer with General Subdirectorate of Energy Foresight, Strategy and Regulation within the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. She began working in the energy sector 10 years ago. She received her bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from UPM University of Madrid in 2012. Her work over the past 2 years is related to energy transition policies and energy foresight models.