Just energy transition and gender. A systematic review for feminist research

Abstract

Through a systematic review this study critically examines existing peer-reviewed evidence on the often-overlooked gender dimensions of the just energy transition. We found 52 peer-review journal papers focusing on three main themes: (1) how energy production can worsen pre-existing gender-based vulnerabilities, (2) how energy consumption can reproduce gender-based energy poverty and (3) how feminist theorists approached the study of the just energy transition. We find that gender-based scholarship focuses on gender-equality and job access without referencing to the systems of domination in which the energy transition is currently embedded. We also note that the literature is siloed and does not dwell into the role that social reproduction has in sustaining such transition. We highlight future avenues of feminist research by making a call for a momentous focus on labor and social reproduction as two fundamental precursors of a just energy transition.