Energy and sustainability. Integrating a rights perspective in EU Energy Law & Policy

Linking the sustainable energy transition to environmental protection requires consideration of social foundations as well. By integrating a human and fundamental rights perspective, EU Energy Law and Policy (EU ELP) can potentially reform towards a human-centric approach. The EU ELP should shift from a consumer-centric approach to a more human-centred approach, which could bring about positive changes. Strengthening the promotion of energy democracy, increasing the participation of renewable energy sources within the EU energy mix, and projecting policies towards a green energy system transition are hollow achievements if human individuals and communities are not prioritised and empowered. Therefore, recognising, protecting, and guaranteeing the universal right to energy is essential for a just transition to a sustainable future and requires immediate action. Rising energy costs threaten households’ ability to meet needs and may also constrain innovation financing. While an accelerated transition to a sustainable energy system is necessary to ensure energy security, protecting the energy-vulnerable and energy-poor sectors is equally crucial. This research will provide the foundations for integrating a human and fundamental rights perspective within the EU ELP to fulfil human dignity. It will establish the essential foundations of the right to energy within the EU by proposing its structure as a right to be integrated into the ELP.