Presentation short abstract

In an era of climate crisis, various policy propositions that range from market-based to more critical approaches have been put forward in Southeast Asia. The paper seeks to unpack how environmental justice principles are embedded in just energy transition policies in countries in this subregion.

Presentation long abstract

Using the framework of environmental justice (Schlosberg, 2007) which sets the paradigm that environmental issues must involve principles of distributive justice (who benefits/who bears burdens), procedural justice (participation and decision‑making), recognition justice (whose values, identities and rights are acknowledged), and restorative justice (addressing past harms), the proposed paper problematizes on how environmental justice principles are incorporated to Just Energy Transition plans and frameworks across countries in Southeast Asia, namely the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia. Using political ecology as a lens and through content and thematic analysis of national legislation on renewable energy, energy transition roadmaps from ministries or departments, and national energy program documents, the study will provide an overview of dominant frames as well as overlapping and competing narratives. Two dominant views are apparent in contestations surrounding energy transition in Southeast Asia. The first view is primarily an economic perspective where narratives of the just energy transition are fueled by investment opportunity and the economic gains of renewables. The other view is the environmental justice perspective where rights-based approaches are prioritized, and the transition is seen as a means to further equitable and sustainable access to energy. The study argues for reframing energy transition policies and proposal to more explicitly embed environmental justice principles — via inclusive decision‑making, rights recognition, targeted compensation and benefit sharing, and mechanisms to remediate historical environmental damage. This reframing will improve policy legitimacy and ensure transitions are both low‑carbon and socially just and equitable, especially in contexts like Southeast Asia.