Energy justice and equity: A Review of definitions, measures, and practice in policy, planning, and operations

Weihang Ren, Yongpei Guan, Feng Qiu, Todd Levin and Miguel Heleno

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2025, vol. 222, issue C

Abstract: Energy justice, at the intersection of energy and societal ethics, studies the origins, quantification, and resolution of persistent and potential inequities within the energy sector, serving as a foundational pillar for societal harmony. We systematically reviewed energy justice and equity literature by querying scientific journal databases and synthesizing 160 selected studies. Specifically, we trace historical and modern definitions of energy equity and frameworks of energy justice. We highlight the tools adopted to measure equity in the energy context, such as the Gini coefficient and Theil indices, unveiling multifaceted inequities that permeate global energy landscapes. We discuss the limitations of prevalent metrics such as the Gini coefficient and Generalized Entropy Indices in the evaluation of energy justice concerns. Finally, we analyze publications that examined current practices and proposed improving methods toward a more equitable energy market for society from policy, planning, and operation perspectives.

Keywords: Energy justice; Energy equity; Gini coefficient; Just transition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2025.115900

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