Knowledge politics, vulnerability and recognition-based justice: Public participation in renewable energy transitions in India

Pandey, P and Sharma, A (2021) Knowledge politics, vulnerability and recognition-based justice: Public participation in renewable energy transitions in India. In: Energy Research and Social Science, 71 .

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Abstract

Public participation plays a crucial role in achieving Renewable Energy Transitions (RET). Existing research on energy transitions suggests that for seeking the active participation of all stakeholders, transition frameworks must be sensitive to the dynamic and complex interplay of power and agency. Knowledge politics that determine terms of engagement within energy transition projects often enable asymmetric agency resulting in vulnerability, exclusion and injustices. However, very little is known about how vulnerable and marginal groups resist subversion and re-define terms of engagement. This paper presents three cases of RET projects from India to engage with the interplay of knowledge politics, vulnerability and recognition-based energy justice. The cases bring comparable insights from RET projects on three different energy sources (second-generation bioethanol, advanced biogas and solar micro-grid), initiated by the government, industry and non-governmental actors in India. Based on the qualitative, empirical data gathered through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and ethnographic field observations, we argue that non-participation is a mode of resistance against subversive knowledge politics. Despite projected benefits and “apparent needs”, people do not accept the pre-defined roles and identities prescribed for them in RET projects. In contrast, vulnerable and marginal social groups mobilize their agency by framing needs and priorities in relation to situated as well as emergent social, political and ecological identities and demand for recognition-based energy justice. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Energy Research and Social Science
Publisher:	Elsevier Ltd
Additional Information:	The copyright for this article belongs to Elsevier Ltd.
Keywords:	Knowledge politics; Public participation; Recognition-based justice; Renewable energy; Vulnerabilities
Department/Centre:	Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences > Centre for Society and Policy (formerly: Centre for Contemporary Studies)
Date Deposited:	20 Feb 2023 06:18
Last Modified:	20 Feb 2023 06:18
URI:	https://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/80387

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