ABSTRACT
Historically, the discourse about energy and sustainability has mostly relied on the expertise of techno-science, engineering and policy to overcome practical challenges regarding energy production, accessibility, or distribution. However, the current energy transitions from fossil fuels towards renewable and sustainable energy can be further enhanced through the contribution of energy humanities, and especially the emergent field of energy ethics. This chapter proposes that strongly sustainable societies imply ecologically sustainable energy transitions. Initially, the chapter suggests a reflection on some of the assumptions of energy policy and sustainability discourse by criticising the anthropocentric and instrumental nature of the ‘traditional energy paradigm’. At the core of the chapter is the notion of an ‘ecocentric energy ethic’, intended as a flexible but nonetheless precise ‘moral compass’ that suggests an ecocentric turn in the human– energy–nature relationship. This conceptual framework is based on interdisciplinary evidence produced by natural and social sciences as well as humanities. The energy ethic outlines key principles and values to possibly evaluate the ‘morality’ of energy policies, practices and technologies. The principles can provide ethical guidance to energy practitioners (energy users, educators, public policymakers, politicians) and thus contribute to the theoretical and practical achievement of strongly sustainable societies.
