General overview

Energy justice remains essential for the success of the energy transition and for addressing the global challenge of access to affordable, secure and sustainable energy. It provides a holistic framework for analysing the energy sector by integrating legal, economic, social, technological and environmental perspectives. Energy justice enables researchers and policymakers to identify areas where energy systems can be improved in order to ensure fair outcomes for all stakeholders, including vulnerable and marginalised communities, while balancing the interests of present and future generations.

The aim of the conference is to provide a platform for international researchers and practitioners to discuss the most pressing issues surrounding Energy Transition and Energy Justice. Particular attention will be devoted to the global dimension of the energy sector, the role of nuclear energy in achieving climate and energy security objectives, and the opportunities and challenges arising from the digitalisation of energy systems. The debate will cover legal, economic and policy perspectives at the global, European and national levels, fostering dialogue between academia, industry and public institutions.

We warmly invite scholars, practitioners, regulators, policymakers and students to join us in Katowice and contribute to shaping the future of a fair, secure and sustainable energy sector.

The Global Dimension of the Energy Sector

The first theme addresses the growing globalisation of energy policy, regulation and governance. Energy transition has become one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century, linking climate governance, energy security, economic development and international cooperation. Contemporary energy systems are increasingly shaped by global factors, including climate finance, critical mineral supply chains, geopolitical tensions, technological innovation and the evolving relationship between the Global North and the Global South.

The energy sector can no longer be understood solely through national or regional perspectives. Decisions taken in one part of the world often have immediate consequences elsewhere. Energy security in Europe is influenced by developments in the Middle East, investment decisions in North America affect global energy markets, while regulatory and technological innovations emerging in Latin America, Asia and Africa increasingly contribute to the worldwide energy transition. The interconnected nature of modern energy systems requires new approaches to law, economics and public policy that recognise the global character of contemporary energy challenges.

This international perspective reflects the growing research activities and partnerships developed by the Department of Energy Transition at the University of Economics in Katowice. In recent years, members of the Department have expanded academic cooperation beyond Europe through research visits, scientific seminars and institutional partnerships in Latin America and the Middle East. 

The conference therefore seeks to create a platform for genuine international dialogue, bringing together perspectives from Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and other regions of the world. Particular attention will be devoted to climate finance, global energy governance, energy security, critical infrastructure, international investment, access to energy, and the legal and institutional mechanisms necessary to ensure that the benefits and burdens of the energy transition are shared fairly across societies and generations.

By fostering cooperation between researchers, policymakers and practitioners from different continents, the conference aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how global challenges require global solutions. The future of the energy sector will be shaped not only by national decisions, but also by the strength of international cooperation, mutual learning and the ability to develop common responses to shared challenges.

Nuclear Energy and Long-Term Energy Security

The second theme focuses on the renewed role of nuclear energy in achieving decarbonisation objectives while maintaining security of supply. Across Europe and many other parts of the world, governments are reconsidering nuclear technologies as a reliable low-carbon source of electricity capable of supporting economic growth and industrial competitiveness. From large-scale nuclear projects to emerging Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), the conference will explore the legal, regulatory, financial and social dimensions of the nuclear renaissance and its contribution to a just energy transition.

Digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Energy

The third theme examines how digital technologies are transforming the energy sector. Artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, smart grids, cybersecurity solutions and digital platforms are increasingly becoming critical components of modern energy systems. At the same time, growing digital dependence raises new questions regarding resilience, security, governance and public trust. Recent experiences of cyber incidents, system disruptions and large-scale blackouts demonstrate that digitalisation creates both unprecedented opportunities and new risks for energy systems. The conference will therefore explore how technological innovation can strengthen the resilience, efficiency and fairness of the energy sector.

As in previous years, Energy Justice will remain the unifying concept of the conference. The transition to cleaner energy systems cannot be assessed solely through economic or technological indicators. It must also be evaluated through the lens of fairness, inclusion, human rights and intergenerational responsibility. Energy Justice provides the framework through which these issues can be examined at the local, national and global levels.

Held in Katowice – a city that symbolises both Europe's industrial heritage and its transformation towards a low-carbon future – the conference offers a unique environment for meaningful dialogue between academia and practice. We warmly invite scholars, practitioners, regulators, policymakers, industry representatives and students to join us in shaping the next chapter of the global energy transition.

The challenges are global. The solutions must be collaborative. The debate begins in Katowice.