Implementing Energy Justice through Corporate Social Responsibility of Multinational Corporations in Energy and Extractive Industries: Old Body in New Robes

This article proposes a new implementation framework based on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to facilitate energy justice. To accomplish this, it analyses how CSR constructs linked to Multinational Corporations (MNCs) operating within the energy and extractive industry could be used to realise energy justice. This conception is premised on the observation that MNCs possess significant economic influence, which enables them to spur socio-economic transformation. The article advances the conversation on energy justice, shifting the focus from conceptual examination of the concept to ways to enable its practical implementation via the lens of CSR. This proposal represents an active step towards bridging a void in the energy justice literature, as it offers practical solutions for addressing implementation gaps and ensuring the effective implementation of energy justice. The article develops a framework with four dimensions of energy justice – (i) distributive, (ii) procedural, (iii) recognition, and (iv) restorative via CSR constructs of MNCs. It concludes that CSR is crucial for achieving energy justice and creating just and equitable energy and extractive industries for all stakeholders.