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Municipalities as Agents of Energy Justice? Promoting and Fostering Procedural and Distributional Justice in Energy Communities in Germany

Brinkmann, Mia LU (2025) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20251
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Energy communities are increasingly recognised as key actors in the energy transition, but concerns remain about their ability to promote equitable processes and outcomes. Justice issues within energy communities risk undermining their transformative potential. This thesis uses an adapted energy jus-tice framework to systematically assess procedural and distributional justice challenges in energy com-munities across the EU and explores how municipalities in Germany collaborate with energy commu-nities to address these challenges. Combining a systematic literature review with problem-centred ex-pert interviews, it identifies cooperation practices along with barriers and opportunities for more just cooperation. Findings show that while... (More)
Energy communities are increasingly recognised as key actors in the energy transition, but concerns remain about their ability to promote equitable processes and outcomes. Justice issues within energy communities risk undermining their transformative potential. This thesis uses an adapted energy jus-tice framework to systematically assess procedural and distributional justice challenges in energy com-munities across the EU and explores how municipalities in Germany collaborate with energy commu-nities to address these challenges. Combining a systematic literature review with problem-centred ex-pert interviews, it identifies cooperation practices along with barriers and opportunities for more just cooperation. Findings show that while municipal support can enhance justice outcomes, structural constraints and limited awareness often restrict its effectiveness. Practical guidelines are developed to foster inclusive collaborations between municipalities and energy communities. Strengthening jus-tice-oriented cooperation is critical to ensuring that energy communities contribute meaningfully to sustainable and equitable energy transitions. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Brinkmann, Mia LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Energy Communities, Energy Justice, Municipalities, Just Energy Transition, Citizen Participation, Renewable Energy, Sustainability Science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2025:004
language
English
id
9191896
date added to LUP
2025-06-03 10:16:11
date last changed
2025-06-03 10:16:11
@misc{9191896,
  abstract     = {{Energy communities are increasingly recognised as key actors in the energy transition, but concerns remain about their ability to promote equitable processes and outcomes. Justice issues within energy communities risk undermining their transformative potential. This thesis uses an adapted energy jus-tice framework to systematically assess procedural and distributional justice challenges in energy com-munities across the EU and explores how municipalities in Germany collaborate with energy commu-nities to address these challenges. Combining a systematic literature review with problem-centred ex-pert interviews, it identifies cooperation practices along with barriers and opportunities for more just cooperation. Findings show that while municipal support can enhance justice outcomes, structural constraints and limited awareness often restrict its effectiveness. Practical guidelines are developed to foster inclusive collaborations between municipalities and energy communities. Strengthening jus-tice-oriented cooperation is critical to ensuring that energy communities contribute meaningfully to sustainable and equitable energy transitions.}},
  author       = {{Brinkmann, Mia}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Municipalities as Agents of Energy Justice? Promoting and Fostering Procedural and Distributional Justice in Energy Communities in Germany}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}