Heating up the energy transition: Comparing energy justice and energy decision-making in individual and collective heating systems to support a just heat transition

Abstract

This paper explores how individual and collective heating systems influence citizen agency and energy justice in the heat transition. Drawing on interviews with stakeholders knowledgeable about or involved in these systems across eight European countries, we examine how different types of heating systems influence energy decision-making capabilities and justice outcomes. Combining the Energy Justice Decision-Making Framework with the Capability Approach, we analyze differences in availability, affordability, due process, good governance, sustainability, equity, and responsibility.

Our findings reveal that collective heating systems, while limiting individual autonomy, offer advantages in efficiency, affordability, and environmental sustainability. Their centralized management and economies of scale may support the integration of local renewable energy sources and can protect vulnerable populations from energy poverty, thus advancing distributive justice. However, realizing these benefits requires transparent governance and citizen-inclusive processes.

In contrast, individual heating systems provide greater autonomy and flexibility, allowing households to tailor solutions to their preferences and financial circumstances. Yet this decentralization can lead to operational inefficiencies and fragmented efforts, which may slow down the pace of the heat transition. Additionally, high upfront costs for sustainable technologies may exacerbate inequalities, particularly for low-income households.

This study identifies justice gaps across both system types and highlights the trade-offs between autonomy and equity. We argue for institutional adaptation and regulatory innovation to enable capability-sensitive, socio-technical arrangements that support inclusive, sustainable heat transitions.