Conference: CRISES: Decarbonization: Enhancing Just Energy Transitions

该项目汇集了能源转型方面的顶尖专家，以设计社会科学领域的能源研究重点和战略。该项目围绕着一次关于能源系统脱碳的计划会议，召集了一系列学术、非营利和社区组织的专家。项目参与者以他们在学术和参与工作方面的不同经验为基础，推进一套共同的目标：更好地管理和预测能源系统变化所产生的许多社会和环境影响。具体地说，该项目研究了与以下方面相关的脱碳影响：(1)化石燃料基础设施的转型，以及(2)新能源形式的逐步引入，特别是锂的开采和使用，从电动汽车到储存风能和太阳能的大型固定式电池，随处可见的电池所需的锂。行业、社区组织和政府是能源部门转型的核心行为者。然而，对于化石燃料退役和其他与能源转型相关的政策领域，缺乏监管标准。在这种背景下，既有挑战，也有机遇。这项研究的设计包括以下核心要素：1)能源过渡的在线地图，2)确定能源过渡的最佳实践，以及3)社区参与能源过渡。该项目推动制定和应用与能源有关的决策过程中的公正原则。利用当前的专业知识，参与者将公正过渡原则、环境正义和公平推进到能源系统脱碳过程中，而不是作为能源变化的单独组成部分。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project brings together leading experts on energy transitions to design energy research priorities and strategies across the social sciences. The project centers around a planned conference on the decarbonization of energy systems, convening specialists based in a range of academic, non-profit, and community-based organizations. Project participants build on their diverse experiences of scholarly and engaged work to advance a common set of goals: better management and anticipation of the many social and environmental impacts that result from changes to energy systems. Specifically, this project studies impacts of decarbonization associated with (1) transitions in fossil fuel infrastructure, and (2) the phase-in of new forms of energy, particularly the mining and use of lithium, needed for batteries found everywhere from electric vehicles to large-scale stationary batteries that store wind and solar electricity.This project establishes national and global best practices for fossil fuel decommissioning and the development of new energy initiatives. Industry, community organizations and governments are central actors in energy sector transitions. However, there is a lack of regulatory standards for fossil fuel decommissioning and other policy arenas relevant to energy transitions. This context presents both challenges and opportunities. The design of this research consists of the following core elements: 1) online mapping of energy transitions, 2) identifying best practices for energy transitions, and 3) community engagement in energy transitions. This project advances the formulation and application of justice principles within energy-related decision-making processes. Drawing on current expertise, participants advance just transition principles, environmental justice, and equity into processes of energy system decarbonization, rather than as separate components of energy change.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.