REIPPPP Learning Event 2023: Keynote Address
Shalanda Baker shared insights on bold leadership for deepened community impact from her experiences in the United States.
Shalanda posed three pivotal questions that guide the energy transition:
1. Is achieving justice possible in this shift?
2. Can this transition lead to freedom and liberation?
3. How can past mistakes, particularly those disproportionately impacting communities, be avoided in this shift to cleaner energy?
As an advocate for energy justice, Shalanda underscores the intersection of social justice, climate action, and energy systems as fundamental to realising a fair energy transition.
Emerging themes
Energy security issues can be addressed based on policy, research, and actively engaging with structural problems in energy programmes and policy.
It is important to acknowledge and rectify historical injustices deeply entrenched in the energy system, especially those that affect communities of colour. The aspiration for renewable energy sources at affordable rates aligns with the pursuit of justice, making essential services accessible to all.
Acknowledging people of colour at the centre of the energy transition signifies a commitment to inclusivity and representation within transformative initiatives. Initiatives like Justice 40 and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have been instrumental in channelling benefits from clean energy investments to burdened communities in the US. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the transition to clean energy does not perpetuate inequalities or replicate past harms.
The Department of Energy in the US is actively engaging in efforts to embed justice frameworks, community engagement plans, and socioeconomic impact assessments within its programs. Emphasising ongoing vigilance, data-driven strategies, and robust community involvement are crucial elements which can be considered to achieve a just and equitable energy transition. The potential to realise justice, freedom, and liberation lies through a deliberate and inclusive approach to restructuring the energy system. This involves not only focusing on technological advancements but also centring the needs and experiences of marginalised communities to build a fairer and more equitable future. Despite acknowledging challenges, collective responsibility is emphasised, asserting that the quest for justice and equitable energy systems requires a united effort from all voices.
