Oceans and Just Energy Transitions

An interdisciplinary event bringing research, civil society, policy and practice into conversation on ocean energy and justice. Hosted by the University of Southampton and co-organised by the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute’s Ocean Energy and Ocean Justice Special Interest Groups (SIGs), this half-day interdisciplinary workshop explores how ocean-related energy transitions can be made more just. The workshop welcomes students at all levels, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as early-career and established researchers, civil society participants, and people working in policy and practice. It is open to researchers working across marine science, engineering, law, politics, economics, development studies, geography, sociology, environmental humanities, and related fields. Viewed from an interdisciplinary perspective, the global energy transition raises questions about how scientific and technological developments interact with wider social, environmental and institutional contexts. These themes will be addressed through short presentations, a panel discussion and a participatory plenary. The discussion will consider questions such as: • How are the benefits, risks and burdens of ocean-related energy transitions distributed across communities, regions and States? • How do gender, labour, care, social protection and participation shape just transition pathways in coastal and ocean-dependent communities? • How can legal and governance frameworks strengthen fairness and accountability in decisions about ocean space, marine resources and energy development? • What interdisciplinary research is needed to support more just oceans and energy futures? Confirmed speakers • Gina Cortés Valderrama is an activist, and scholar working on climate, economic and intersectional justice. She co-coordinates the Just Transition Working Group of the UNFCCC Women and Gender Constituency. • Mateo Adarve Zuluaga is a climate justice researcher at Oxfam whose work examines the political economy of the global energy transition. He is a lead author of Oxfam’s report Unjust Transition: Reclaiming the Energy Future from Climate Colonialism. • Dr Wassim Dbouk is a Marine and Maritime Policy Research Fellow at the University of Southampton, specialising in ocean governance, climate law and just transitions. He also serves as Lebanon’s lead negotiator for the UNFCCC Just Transition Work Programme. The workshop is intended as a space for exchange and co-creation, helping connect emerging research agendas with the challenges faced in policy and practice. We would therefore be delighted if you could join us and share your perspective We look forward to seeing you. Location: Sir James Matthews Building (building number 135), room 1073. NB: The room is on the first underground level, at the end of the corridor, to the left of the stairs.