Injustices in phasing out nuclear power?: Exploring limited public participation and transparency in Taiwan's transition away from nuclear energy

Transitions to non-nuclear energy systems are assumed to be positive phenomena. However, there is existing literature on how such transitions can result in new injustices. Since 2016, the government of Taiwan has promoted renewable energy and pursued the objective of establishing a nuclear-free homeland by 2025. Despite public enthusiasm for this green shift, there is a danger that concerns over accompanying environmental and energy injustices are being ignored. This paper addresses the gap between enthusiasm for environmental reforms and blindness to possible social consequences by applying procedural justice to an examination of the shift in energy policy in Taiwan. In 2018 and 2019, 45 interviews were conducted with relevant governmental entities, academics, industry, advocacy organisations (including pro- and anti-nuclear groups), and senior journalists, with the aim of shedding light on how Taiwan's energy transition and phasing out of nuclear energy by 2025 could both represent a commitment to environmental justice and yet result in the creation of new injustices. This research contributes to the wider debate on procedural injustices arising from transitions to non-nuclear energy sources. We emphasise the need to consider procedural justice in green transitions, and assert that doing so will help achieve the smoothest possible energy transition.