Advocating a just transition in Appalachia: Civil society and industrial change in a carbon-intensive region. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hess, David J.; McKane, Rachel G.; Belletto, Kaelee
• Is Part Of: Energy research & social science. Volume 75(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Just transition -- Civil society -- Coalitions -- Energy democracy -- Energy justice -- Coal mining; Power resources -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2021.102004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-6296

Abstract

Highlights: Civil society organizations can be important actors in building support for a just transition. Their role may be especially important where government actors do not support transition policy. Initiatives in support of just transitions have both sociotechnical transition and societal change goals. A small number of transition advocacy organizations serve as bridges across goals and initiatives. The network of actors in coalitions also shows differences between goal types. Abstract: Whereas research to date has focused on the role of governments and unions in leading just transition initiatives, this study explores the role of a broad range of civil society actors. It focuses on the central Appalachian region in the U.S. (Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia), which has significant fossil-fuel resources. Based on an analysis of 98 initiatives related to a just transition led by 70 civil society organizations during the 2010–2020 period, the study contributes to the just transitions literature by showing the role of non-labor civil society in defining and motivating a just transition in the context of resistance from actors associated with fossil-fuel industries. The study develops a framework for researching just transitions that is based on two sets of goals: societal change (democracy and equity) and sociotechnical system change (support for renewable energy and energy efficiency and opposition to fossil-fuel extraction and pollution). Results from the comparative and network analyses indicate that the four goal types are not equally represented and that civil society organizations tend to specialize with respect to the goals, with only a few organizations providing bridges across the goals. Implications for strategy for funders and advocacy organizations are discussed.