Conclusion: Advancing a Just and Inclusive Renewable Energy Transition
The global shift toward renewable energy is an essential response to the climate crisis, offering
a pathway to decarbonization, energy security, and long-term sustainability. Yet, as this
transition accelerates, it also reveals and reshapes the political and economic fault lines
embedded in marine governance. Nowhere is this more evident than in the intersection betweenSAEREM BOOK CHAPTERS offshore renewable energy development and fisheries sectors that share marine space but often
diverge in terms of power, visibility, and institutional support.
Fisheries, particularly small-scale and artisanal operations, are highly vulnerable to exclusion,
displacement, and ecological change brought about by poorly integrated energy infrastructure.
Without deliberate efforts to address these vulnerabilities, the energy transition risks
entrenching existing inequalities undermining the food security, cultural heritage, and economic
stability of coastal communities. At the same time, fishing communities possess deep ecological
knowledge, adaptive practices, and a vested interest in marine stewardship, making them
indispensable partners in building sustainable blue economies.
This chapter argues for a holistic, justice-centered approach to the energy transition one that
actively incorporates the rights, voices, and livelihoods of fishers into every stage of renewable
energy planning and deployment. Lessons from Europe, the United States, Japan, and Norway
demonstrate that when governance is inclusive, science-informed, and responsive to local
contexts, both ecological and social outcomes improve. Participatory marine spatial planning,
co-governance institutions, equitable compensation mechanisms, and adaptive management
frameworks are not ancillary they are foundational to a just transition.
Ultimately, achieving climate resilience must not come at the cost of marine biodiversity, food
sovereignty, or social equity. Instead, energy policy must be reframed to support synergies
between climate action and coastal livelihoods. If implemented equitably, the renewable energy
transition can be a vehicle not only for reducing emissions but also for strengthening coastal
resilience, restoring ecosystems, and empowering historically marginalized communities. By
centering justice and inclusion, we can ensure that the benefits of a decarbonized future are
widely shared securing both planetary and human well-being.
BOOK CHAPTERS 14 OCTOBER 2025 Victoria Folakemi AKINJOGUNLA
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