Addressing Social Vulnerabilities Resulting From Low-Carbon Energy Transition Policies in EU-27 Countries: A Systematic Survey of the Literature

Abstract

Low-carbon transition research has experienced exponential growth in recent years, driven by the urgent need to mitigate climate change and achieve sustainability goals. The disruption of traditional industries, increased energy costs, and changes in land use are inevitable consequences of the low-carbon turn, often adversely impacting the least equipped to handle it. Vulnerable groups often face the greatest risks from climate change and the side effects of the policies designed to combat it. This study conducts a systematic literature review following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, covering publications from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Data were extracted into spreadsheets for descriptive analytics, and trends in publication years, countries, and policy tools were visualized with Python-generated heatmaps and summary tables. The findings reveal that despite best efforts to unburden vulnerable groups, many unaddressed concerns remain in the European 27 countries, where one might least expect them. The analysis highlights how one-size-fits-all policies ignore regional and social differences, disproportionately burdening vulnerable groups while favoring wealthier segments through subsidies and incentives. The mixed effectiveness of countermeasures-such as social tariffs, subsidies, and the Just Transition Mechanism-highlights ongoing challenges, including misrecognition, elite capture, and institutional constraints, while also underscoring notable successes like participatory community energy projects and locally tailored retrofitting initiatives. This research underscores the necessity of moving beyond uniform solutions, advocating for locally sensitive, equitable approaches that address affected communities' diverse needs and aspirations while ensuring social and environmental justice in the transition to a lowcarbon economy.