An Energy Justice Approach to Resolving the Conflict between the Development of Energy Access Projects and Human Rights Risks and Violations in Africa: Can a Balance be Struck?

Abstract

This article addresses the potential widespread conflict between the development of energy access projects and human rights risks and violations in Africa. While this conflict is well known in the continent of Africa due largely to the need to increase energy access, solutions to tackle it are scarce. This article proposes using the United Nations (UN) Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) strategically to create a new framework to conceptualize and solve such conflict. For this purpose, it analyses the effectiveness of the HRBA framework, whilst highlighting some of the challenges facing its implementation in African countries. The article concludes that until human rights risks and violations – considered to be ‘energy injustice’ concerns – are mainstreamed through the HRBA framework and its principles into the plan and development of energy access projects, the conflict will continue to rise and may become another dilemma similar to the environmental protection and energy development discourse in Africa.