Energy Law and Energy Transformation

This chapter argues that the energy transition needs to be reimagined as an energy
transformation in order to emphasise the scale and pace of change required to
meet climate, security, and equity objectives in a timely manner. Drawing on Karl
Polanyi’s Great Transformation, it highlights the extent to which the current situation
may be read as the inevitable working out of the process by which the market
becomes dis-embedded from society. Understanding the required energy transformation
in that way, it concludes by suggesting questions that could guide energy
law in the years ahead: (1) to what extent has energy law in the past promoted and
facilitated the dis-embedding of economy from society, and the commoditisation of
the environment? (2) how can we reimagine energy law to assist in re-embedding
economy in society, and in recognising the dangers of allowing the environment to
become a fictitious commodity?