Measuring the Loss of Justice in China's Rural Energy Transition : A Case Study of Natural Gas Replacing Bulk Coal for Heating in Hebei Province

A transition in rural energy consumption is one of the most effective means of achieving rural carbon neutrality goal, but a passive energy transition for households can lead to energy justice losses. However, quantitative studies on energy justice losses remain scarce. In this study, we calculated the losses of distributional justice, recognition justice, procedural justice, and overall energy justice by constructing a theoretical framework for the analysis of energy justice losses. Luquan District, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province was used as a case study to analyze energy justice losses as a result of the implementation of the coal-to-gas energy transition policy in rural areas in northern China. Result indicated that energy justice losses exist in relation to the coal-to-gas energy transition in rural China, and the greatest loss is in relation to procedural justice. In terms of policy, targeted energy subsidies should be introduced to improve distributional justice, the energy transition needs of rural energy consumers should be recognized and responded to fairly to improve recognition justice, and enhanced advocacy and follow-up of energy transition policies should be implemented to improve procedural justice. The empirical results of our study show that our approach to quantifying energy justice losses is realistic