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The energy‐extractives nexus and the just transition

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  • Nicholas Bainton
  • Deanna Kemp
  • Eleonore Lèbre
  • John R. Owen
  • Greg Marston

Abstract

The concept of a ‘just transition’ to a low‐carbon economy is firmly embedded in mainstream global discourses about mitigating climate change. Drawing on Karl Polanyi's political economy elaborated in The Great Transformation, we interrogate the idea of a just transition and place it within its historical context. We address a major contradiction at the core of global energy transition debates: the rapid shift to low‐carbon energy‐systems will require increased extraction of minerals and metals. In doing so, we argue that extractive industries are energy and carbon‐intensive, and will enlarge and intensify social and ecological injustice. Our findings reveal the importance of understanding how the idea of a just transition is used, and by who, and the type of justice that underpins this concept. We demonstrate the need to ground just transition policies and programmes in a notion of justice as fairness.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicholas Bainton & Deanna Kemp & Eleonore Lèbre & John R. Owen & Greg Marston, 2021. "The energy‐extractives nexus and the just transition," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(4), pages 624-634, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:29:y:2021:i:4:p:624-634
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.2163
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Md. Monirul Islam, 2024. "A Cross-Country Examination of Mineral Import Demand and Wind Energy Generation: Empirical Insights from Leading Mineral Importers," Journal of Applied Economic Research, Graduate School of Economics and Management, Ural Federal University, vol. 23(1), pages 6-32.
    2. Lèbre, Éléonore & Owen, John R. & Kemp, Deanna & Valenta, Rick K., 2022. "Complex orebodies and future global metal supply: An introduction," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    3. Deanna Kemp & John R. Owen, 2022. "Corporate social irresponsibility, hostile organisations and global resource extraction," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(5), pages 1816-1824, September.
    4. Islam, Md. Monirul & Sohag, Kazi & Mariev, Oleg, 2024. "Mineral import demand-driven solar energy generation in China: A threshold estimation using the counterfactual shock approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    5. Islam, Md. Monirul & Sohag, Kazi & Alam, Md. Mahmudul, 2022. "Mineral import demand and clean energy transitions in the top mineral-importing countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    6. Inna Čábelková & Luboš Smutka & Wadim Strielkowski, 2022. "Public support for sustainable development and environmental policy: A case of the Czech Republic," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(1), pages 110-126, February.
    7. Cole, Megan J., 2023. "ESG risks to global platinum supply: A case study of Mogalakwena Mine, South Africa," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
    8. Sara Nelson & M. V. Ramana, 2023. "Managing decline: Devaluation and just transition at Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 55(8), pages 1951-1969, November.
    9. Islam, Md. Monirul & Sohag, Kazi & Hammoudeh, Shawkat & Mariev, Oleg & Samargandi, Nahla, 2022. "Minerals import demands and clean energy transitions: A disaggregated analysis," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    10. Florina Pinzaru & Alina Mihaela Dima & Alexandra Zbuchea & Zoltan Veres, 2022. "Adopting Sustainability and Digital Transformation in Business in Romania: A Multifaceted Approach in the Context of the Just Transition," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 24(59), pages 1-28.
    11. Kavya Michael & Helene Ahlborg, 2024. "A conceptual analysis of gendered energy care work and epistemic injustice through a case study of Zanzibar’s Solar Mamas," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 9(8), pages 947-954, August.

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