SOCIAL FAIRNESS, INCLUSION & SUCCESSFULNESS IN EU COAL TRANSITION PROCESSES

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that there are a number of flaws in current coal transition policies when viewed through a justice lens. The aim of the current research is to present how the social dimensions are integrated into the EU energy policy coal phasing out in the light of the theoretical framework of energy justice and its three pillars: distributional, procedural and recognition justice. Interviews with five central actors reveal how social fairness, inclusion and successfulness in coal transition process is perceived. Firstly, it appears that social fairness and inclusion - through the energy justice lens – have a pivotal role in the successfulness of coal transition process. Secondly, the interviews reveal that new concepts such as empathy and perceptiveness emerge into the concept of justice in the coal phasing out as an integral part of coal transition processes. Thirdly, it seems that policy makers – including EU – have considered and included justice accommodating measures in their programs aimed at assisting coal transition processes. In terms of further research it seems highly relevant further empirical research to be carried out with the aim of assessing how the three pillars of energy justice have been practically integrated when the coal transition process is accomplished in the all EU member states.