Speaker
Description
Geological resources, such as geothermal energy and pore space for hydrogen storage, are increasingly acknowledged to support the achievement of a carbon-neutral society. In Belgium, the Campine Basin in Flanders has become a particular location of interest for subsurface development.
However, questions of justice emerge when considering the potential costs for local communities, future generations, and nature. Moreover, access to the subsurface is limited, leaving only a limited group of people with the necessary financial means, infrastructure and knowledge to get benefits and make decisions about these resources.
Existing justice literature about the subsurface tends to focus on distributional and, to a lesser degree, procedural aspects, often overlooking recognition. Nonetheless, this tenet is essential, as it forms the foundation of justice, shaping both distributive outcomes and participatory processes.
Based on Honneth’s and Fraser’s conceptualizations of political and cultural recognition, this study examines which values and recipients of justice are currently recognized in legislation, policy advice and strategic documents concerning groundwater, seasonal gas and hydrogen storage, and (shallow and deep) geothermal energy.
Our analysis reveals a lack of recognition of social values, local communities, future generations, nature and vulnerable groups. Moreover, justice principles are not represented beyond basic distributional concerns. These findings highlight the need for a broader, recognition-centered approach to subsurface governance.
| If your abstract is not accepted for an oral presentation, would you be interested in presenting it as a poster instead? | Yes |
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| If accepted by the Scientific Board, I agree to have my presentation/poster and abstract published on the Belgian Climate Centre websites and social media. | Yes |
