The balance of justice and the scales of the energy transition

Prof. dr. Eileen Moyer, Dr. Linda Musariri, Dr. Margaretha Wewerinke‑Singh.

In this essay, the authors demonstrate that ‘justice’ constitutes both the scales and the yardstick by which choices in the Dutch energy transition must be weighed. Using the Bugoebaai Corridor in South Africa as an example, they connect anthropological fieldwork with recent legal developments in the field of climate justice and human rights. The piece translates the framework of justice outlined by the authors into concrete responsibilities for government and industry in value chains for ‘green’ hydrogen: from carbon budgets and reparations obligations to due diligence, free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC), and care for more-than-human life. Here, we refer to ecological issues that go beyond mere human interests, such as the protection of rare plants, migratory birds, Cape fur seals, and whales living in the fragile Richtersveld coastal ecosystem.

Now that we in the Netherlands are transitioning from fossil fuels to hydrogen, solar, and wind energy, we must ask ourselves not only how to accelerate this transition, but also where and how to produce and acquire the technologies that make this possible. From the purchase of solar panels and wind turbines to the extraction of critical minerals and the production of hydrogen: justice requires that we examine the entire chain of effects. This entails, among other things, ensuring that those most affected by extraction—whether in our own RES regions or in places like the Richtersveld in South Africa—are heard, respected, and fairly compensated. The Richtersveld, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and fragile coastal desert, is home to the indigenous Nama people, who have long been excluded from decision-making despite winning a groundbreaking land claim. It is now the proposed location for the Bugoebaai Hydrogen Corridor. This raises urgent questions regarding justice, consent, and ecological responsibility.