Energy equality and energy sufficiency: new policy principles to accelerate

the Energy Transition Giuseppe Pellegrini-Masini

Energy inequality, a vast problem affecting the Energy Transition? Could energy just policies aiming at energy equality and
energy sufficiency accelerate the energy transition? Social
and environmental goals should coexist (UN G.A., 2016)
Energy Equality
Providing all individuals with equal opportunities of using energy
services, energy technologies, and of consuming energy and embodied
energy for satisfying personal needs and nurturing capabilities
(Pellegrini-Masini)
Table 1 Maslow’s Needs* and energy policy interventions towards energy equality: examples
Needs Policies affecting direct energy Policies affecting embodied energy
consumption consumption
Physiological • Energy poverty (fuel poverty) • Income support policies

Safety contrast policies • Provision of public housing

(basic needs) • Ubiquitous and sufficient street schemes

Inequities between and within countries -Energy consumption per capita (Pachauri and Spreng lighting in all neighbourhoods
2012)
Belongingness • Measures warranting sufficiently • Progressive taxation
Energy Equality centred in theories of Energy Justice
“Energy Justice…aims to provide Esteem transport mobility for fostering • Personal energy (carbon)
all individuals, across all areas,
family, social and work activities allowance schemes
with safe, affordable and Self-
sustainable energy.” (McCauley et
actualization • Provision of adequately warm and • Education services and school
al., 2013, p. 1)
(higher needs) lighted public buildings facilities freely accessible for all
“Energy Justice…as a global
energy system that fairly and at all levels.
disseminates both the benefits *(Maslow, 1987)
and costs of energy services and
one that has representative and Energy Sufficiency
impartial energy decision- “… a state in which people’s basic needs for energy services are met
making.” (Sovacool and Dworkin
equitably and ecological limits are respected.” (Fawcett et al., 2018)
2015, p. 436)