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Justice in the Shadows of the Panels: Embedding Procedural and Multispecies Justice in Solar Development in Kushiro, Japan

Nomura, Sari LU (2025) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20251
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
A rapid increase in renewable energy in response to climate change often generates local conflicts. To achieve a just transition to renewable energy, it is crucial to embed justice into its development processes. I examined the case of solar development in Kushiro, Japan. By combining the theories of multispecies justice and procedural justice, this thesis analyzed how local stakeholders perceive solar development processes, and how non-human beings are represented within them. The findings from interviews with local stakeholders revealed a lack of justice in the solar development processes in terms of access to information, inclusive public consultation, informed consent for siting, and representation of non-human beings. While they... (More)
A rapid increase in renewable energy in response to climate change often generates local conflicts. To achieve a just transition to renewable energy, it is crucial to embed justice into its development processes. I examined the case of solar development in Kushiro, Japan. By combining the theories of multispecies justice and procedural justice, this thesis analyzed how local stakeholders perceive solar development processes, and how non-human beings are represented within them. The findings from interviews with local stakeholders revealed a lack of justice in the solar development processes in terms of access to information, inclusive public consultation, informed consent for siting, and representation of non-human beings. While they indicated the importance of taking into account local contexts, such as environmental conditions and place attachment, institutional barriers still remain. Future research should include a wider range of stakeholders, and investigate the effectiveness of Kushiro’s new ordinance in promoting just solar development. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Nomura, Sari LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Renewable energy, Energy justice, Local acceptance, Public engagement, Place attachment, Place-based approach, Sustainability Science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2025:021
language
English
id
9208043
date added to LUP
2025-07-31 09:31:35
date last changed
2025-07-31 09:31:35
@misc{9208043,
  abstract     = {{A rapid increase in renewable energy in response to climate change often generates local conflicts. To achieve a just transition to renewable energy, it is crucial to embed justice into its development processes. I examined the case of solar development in Kushiro, Japan. By combining the theories of multispecies justice and procedural justice, this thesis analyzed how local stakeholders perceive solar development processes, and how non-human beings are represented within them. The findings from interviews with local stakeholders revealed a lack of justice in the solar development processes in terms of access to information, inclusive public consultation, informed consent for siting, and representation of non-human beings. While they indicated the importance of taking into account local contexts, such as environmental conditions and place attachment, institutional barriers still remain. Future research should include a wider range of stakeholders, and investigate the effectiveness of Kushiro’s new ordinance in promoting just solar development.}},
  author       = {{Nomura, Sari}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Justice in the Shadows of the Panels: Embedding Procedural and Multispecies Justice in Solar Development in Kushiro, Japan}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}