Decision-Making Frameworks for Energy Justice: Balancing Social, Economic, and Environmental Objectives

Dear Colleagues,

Energy lies at the heart of economic development, social progress, and environmental sustainability. As humanity faces the twin challenges of climate change and global inequity, the transition to renewable and sustainable energy systems has become a defining priority of the 21st century. Beyond the technical and economic dimensions of energy transitions, achieving energy justice—ensuring equitable access to clean, affordable, and sustainable energy—has emerged as a critical goal for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners worldwide.

Throughout history, advancements in energy systems have driven significant milestones in human civilization. Today, as global energy demands grow and traditional fossil fuel resources are depleted, renewable energy systems are set to take center stage in ensuring a sustainable future. However, achieving these objectives demands more than technological solutions—it requires decision-making frameworks that balance social, economic, and environmental goals while addressing disparities in energy access and distribution.

This Special Issue focuses on advancing decision-making models that integrate energy justice principles into the planning and policy development of renewable energy systems. It seeks to explore how Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approaches, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and interdisciplinary methods can guide the design of energy systems that prioritize sustainability, affordability, and inclusivity. By addressing these interconnected challenges, this Special Issue aims to contribute to the broader discourse on just and sustainable energy transitions.

We welcome original research articles and reviews covering a broad range of topics, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Frameworks for incorporating energy justice into decision-making.
• AI and MCDM applications for balancing environmental, social, and economic priorities.
• Lifecycle and techno-economic assessments integrating social equity indicators.
• Decision-making approaches for equitable renewable energy project financing.
• Tools for addressing energy poverty and fostering inclusive energy access.
• Policy strategies for ensuring justice in global and local energy transitions.
• Interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable energy transitions.
• Innovative financing and policy mechanisms.
• Sustainable energy systems and the Circular Economy.
• The resilience and reliability of renewable energy systems.
• Smart grids and distributed energy resources.

This Special Issue aims to promote innovative ideas, critical perspectives, and actionable solutions that support the global transition to sustainable energy systems while addressing issues of equity and inclusivity. Contributions from diverse disciplines such as engineering, economics, social sciences, and public policy are strongly encouraged.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and in fostering a dialog that advances the principles of energy justice in the context of sustainable development.

Dr. Babatunde Olubayo
Dr. Oludolapo Akanni Olanrewaju
Dr. Emezirinwune Michael
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• artificial intelligence in energy systems
• multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM)
• sustainable energy transitions