Theories of justice have left their mark on the history of political philosophy and law (social justice, distributive justice, restorative justice, commutative justice, retributive justice, contributive justice, fiscal justice, etc.) and therefore on societies. Scientific work in law and the other human and social sciences relating to environmental protection, climate change, the energy transition or, more broadly, ecological transitions frequently draws on theories of justice or on particular meanings of justice (environmental justice, energy justice, food justice, climate justice, etc.). Definitions, tools and methods have been developed and are used to identify what is fair and what is not, and to offer ways of stopping or repairing injustices.

In view of the multiplicity of definitions, concepts and methods, a collective interdisciplinary reflection leading to doctrinal clarification seems necessary at this stage, as environmental challenges appear to be the catalyst for changes in justice. In the environmental field, environmental justice was the first form of justice to be conceptualised and enshrined in doctrine and by public authorities. Other forms have followed, such as climate, energy and food justice, and are presented either as variations on environmental justice and its guiding principles, or as ‘autonomous’ concepts.

While climate disruption appears to be a catalyst for inequality and vulnerability in all these areas, the aim of the conference is to understand and work on these various forms of justice by looking in particular at : 

• Histories, approaches, concepts and methodologies of the different meanings of justice (national or foreign dimension)

• Access to goods and services: access to energy, access to food, the right to a healthy environment, the One Health approach and shared health, etc.

• Inequalities in exposure to environmental risks, food risks (safe and healthy food), climate risks, disruption of electricity supply, etc.

• Vulnerability to the consequences and effects of public policies and measures to mitigate and adapt to environmental challenges (economic, social, financial).

• Access to justice and litigation on inequalities, including reflections on the powers of judges to remedy inequalities/injustices.

More broadly, the aim will be to analyse in particular the definitions and methods developed to identify environmental, climate, energy and food vulnerabilities (inequalities in exposure to risks), including their correlative dimensions, and to analyse, from a critical perspective, their effectiveness and propose corrective measures.

Scientific Direction 

Louis de Fontenelle, Maître de conférences en droit public, UMR TREE, CNRS, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour

Blanche Lormeteau, Chargée de recherche CNRS, UMR IODE 6262, Université de Rennes

Scientific Committee 

Alexandre Zabalza, Professeur de droit privé et de sciences criminelles, Université de Bordeaux

Béatrice Parance,Professeur de droit privé et de sciences criminelles, Université Paris Dauphine-PSL

Sandrine Maljean-Dubois, Directrice de recherche CNRS, UMR DICE 7318, Université Aix Marseille 

Fabrice Riem, Professeur de droit privé et de sciences criminelles, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour

Agnès Michelot,Professeur de droit public, La Rochelle Université

Camille Drouiller,Maître de conférences, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour

Jean-Charles Rotoullié, Professeur de droit public, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

François Collart-Dutilleul, Professeur émérite Membre honoraire de l’Institut Universitaire de France

Call for posters open until the 31st March 2025

CNRS - Auditorium Marie Curie

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