Advancing an Energy Minimum Right Flickr album

Photo album of the ‘Advancing an Energy Minimum Right‘ event in FEPS HQ.

This discussion, in connection with the upcoming publication of a related Policy Study by Professor Raphael Heffron, explored how and why Energy Minimum Rights (EMRs) emerged in the context of the EU debate around energy access, socioeconomic fairness, and the just transition. 

The concept is based on a universal human rights approach that is reflected in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and should be in EU-legislation as well. EMRs give a framework to policymakers to guide medium to long-term planning for energy production and access from the local to the global level. 

EMRs can address and restore the balance in the relationship between key stakeholders, from people to companies and governments. As society moves further on a United Nations (UN) inspired pathway to a just transition within the framework of the SDGs, there is a need to ensure that human rights are adapted to the realities of the 21^st century. Energy minimum rights can be the cornerstone of modernising the approach academia and policy makers take towards energy and society.