As the world moves toward cleaner energy, a growing number of experts say the transition must not only be fast, but also that it must be fair. In a recent energy seminar titled, “Sustainable Energy Transition: Integrating Efficiency, Innovation, and Renewables” and hosted by Policy Utilization Division of the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute (PERPI), Dexter S. Pajarillo, Division Chief of Research Development and Policy Utilization Division at PERPI, urged the Philippines to integrate energy justice into its approach to oil and gas development.

Pajarillo began his talk by questioning the adequacy of the so-called “energy trilemma,” which is a widely used framework that seeks to balance energy security, affordability, and environmental sustainability. While this model has guided decades of policy decisions, he argued that it falls short of addressing the deeper social, ethical, and governance issues that undermine energy systems. Instead, he proposed expanding it into a “quadrilemma” that includes a fourth pillar: justice.

Energy justice, he explained, offers a more holistic view by focusing on who exactly benefits from energy development, who bears the burdens, and who has the power and voice in shaping decisions. Drawing from environmental justice, human rights, and social equity, this framework emphasizes not only technical outcomes but also moral obligations. It considers how energy systems affect vulnerable communities, indigenous peoples, and future generations.

Throughout his presentation, Pajarillo described how energy justice operates across multiple dimensions. He spoke of distributive justice, which concerns the fair allocation of resources and impacts; procedural justice, which demands inclusive and transparent decision-making; and recognition justice, which affirms the rights and cultural identities of historically marginalized groups. Additionally, he also introduced three expanded principles: restorative justice, which seeks to repair past harms; cosmopolitan justice, which emphasizes global solidarity; and intergenerational justice, which calls for sustainability that extends beyond the present.

To illustrate how these principles apply in practice, Pajarillo shared case studies from around the world. He first pointed to Norway’s Sovereign Wealth Fund as a model for distributing oil revenues equitably and sustainably. In contrast, he highlighted the Niger Delta region in Nigeria, where decades of oil extraction have left local communities impoverished and ecosystems degraded. Other examples, which range from the Standing Rock protests in the United States to indigenous consultation efforts in Canada, emphasized the importance of respecting local voices and environmental stewardship.

In the Philippine context, Pajarillo said these ideas are especially timely. With mounting energy demand, debates over the future of the Malampaya gas field, and pressure to explore new oil and gas reserves, the country stands at a pivotal crossroad. He emphasized that policies should no longer be based solely on economic returns or short-term supply goals, but must also consider questions of equity, participation, and ecological integrity.

He called attention to the need to review foundational laws such as Presidential Decrees 87 and 910, which govern domestic oil and gas development. These policies, he suggested, should be reframed through the lens of justice to ensure that the country’s energy future is not only secure and sustainable, but also inclusive and fair to all Filipinos.

“Progress should not be measured solely by barrels extracted or fuels burned,” he said in closing. “It must also be measured by whether communities are empowered, environments protected, and futures sustained.”

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