Energy injustice or gender injustice?

Abstract

Coal provides about 30 % of Turkey's energy needs. It is widely acknowledged that coal presents significant environmental and public health hazards. However, little is known about how women and men who use natural gas in Turkey are affected by the environmental risks associated with coal. The primary objective of this research is to ascertain the impact of coal-related environmental hazards on natural gas consumers in Turkey, as well as the gender-based distribution of these risks. To achieve this aim, 44 natural gas users in Istanbul's Mustafa Kemal Neighborhood, where both coal and natural gas use are prevalent, participated in semi-structured interviews. Four main conclusions were reached: first, coal use triggers distributional injustice; second, patriarchal social structure results in women being more greatly affected by coal-related environmental problems; third, women are more greatly affected by coal-related environmental problems in poor families; and fourth, coal-related environmental problems affect women in families with high religious values to a greater extent. This study concludes that gender inequality in coal-related environmental problems triggers distributive energy injustice between genders. The subsequent policy suggestions were proposed to prevent energy inequality: providing free healthcare to women without income, terminating free coal distribution as a form of social assistance, boosting women's engagement in the workforce, and recognizing the gender aspect of energy policies.