Charting Desirable Energy Futures

Shayan Shokrgozar and Siddharth Sareen
Centre for Climate and Energy Transformation (CET), University of Bergen
Co-producing Actionable Knowledge for Whom, How and Why?
Unconventional energy deployment is reshaping institutions, sectors, and societies. Positive aspects include substantial emission reductions compared to conventional sources, prosumerism, and the emergence of ownership models like energy communities. However, oversight in socially and politically contested areas has led to socioecologically harmful consequences. Despite challenges, transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives is crucial for enhancing social cohesion, ecological well-being, and combating climate change. This prompts the question: How can academia promote energy visions and practices that foster well-being for both humans and other-than-human entities within planetary limits?
Existing research highlights the need for a broader socio-political perspective. Neglected areas deserving attention include the role of care work, drawing inspiration from feminist scholarship, and the significance of alternative energy epistemologies and ontologies, drawing from post-development, in shaping future energy scenarios.
Join us in this session with Carlos Tornel (Durham University, UK) and Kavya Michael (Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden), who will provide insights into navigating the future of energy.
Relevant for:
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDG 13: Climate Action