Energy Justice and Equity: A Review of Definitions, Measures, and Practice in Policy, Planning, and Operations

TL;DR

This paper reviews the definitions, measurement tools, and practical applications of energy justice, emphasizing the importance of equitable energy policies and highlighting limitations of current metrics in assessing energy-related inequities.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of energy justice concepts, evaluates existing measurement tools, and discusses practical approaches for improving equity in energy policy and operations.

Findings

Identifies multifaceted energy inequities globally.

Highlights limitations of Gini coefficient and entropy indices.

Analyzes current practices and proposes improvements for energy justice measurement.

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. In this review, we overview the historical and modern definitions of energy equity and frameworks of energy justice. We highlight the tools adopted to measure equity in the energy context, 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 towards a more equitable energy market for the society from policy, planning, and operation perspectives.