TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluating the global impact of low-carbon energy transitions on social equity
AU - Chapman, Andrew
AU - Shigetomi, Yosuke
AU - Ohno, Hajime
AU - McLellan, Benjamin
AU - Shinozaki, Akihiko
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank Professor Tezuka of Kyoto University for his invaluable advice on the importance of individual social equity factors, and to Professor Hienuki of Yokohama National University for his kind critique of the theoretical basis of this work. This work was funded by the Kyushu University QR Tsubasa Fund .
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2021/9
Y1 - 2021/9
N2 - This research examines the societal impacts of varying energy policy approaches and the progress of the energy transition toward a low carbon energy-based regime internationally. Using indicators relevant to energy policy and the energy transition, five critical social equity impacts of environmental improvement, health, employment, participation, and energy cost are investigated from the viewpoint of an ‘equitable’ energy transition. We investigate the correlation between quantitative social equity impacts and the shift toward new renewable energy-based electricity (i.e., wind, photovoltaic, geothermal, tidal, biomass etc.) from 1990 to 2015, for 99 nations with differing development levels, energy resources and policies. We find that increased levels of new renewable energy deployment generally accompany social equity improvement, however geography, national income level and complementary energy policies are also important. Our results highlight specific issues for developing nations, whereby electricity needs are often met by fossil fuels prior to the large-scale penetration of renewables. These nations enjoy short-term social equity benefits, at the risk of long-term negative social equity outcomes. This study's holistic evaluation of energy transitions and social equity outcomes could be used as an input to proactive policy development contributing to the realization of a more equitable energy transition.
AB - This research examines the societal impacts of varying energy policy approaches and the progress of the energy transition toward a low carbon energy-based regime internationally. Using indicators relevant to energy policy and the energy transition, five critical social equity impacts of environmental improvement, health, employment, participation, and energy cost are investigated from the viewpoint of an ‘equitable’ energy transition. We investigate the correlation between quantitative social equity impacts and the shift toward new renewable energy-based electricity (i.e., wind, photovoltaic, geothermal, tidal, biomass etc.) from 1990 to 2015, for 99 nations with differing development levels, energy resources and policies. We find that increased levels of new renewable energy deployment generally accompany social equity improvement, however geography, national income level and complementary energy policies are also important. Our results highlight specific issues for developing nations, whereby electricity needs are often met by fossil fuels prior to the large-scale penetration of renewables. These nations enjoy short-term social equity benefits, at the risk of long-term negative social equity outcomes. This study's holistic evaluation of energy transitions and social equity outcomes could be used as an input to proactive policy development contributing to the realization of a more equitable energy transition.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.eist.2021.09.002
DO - 10.1016/j.eist.2021.09.002
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85115017000
VL - 40
SP - 332
EP - 347
JO - Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
JF - Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
SN - 2210-4224
ER -