In the pursuit of a low-carbon future, the energy sector is grappling with a hidden challenge: silent violence. This term, coined by researchers, refers to the often-overlooked harm embedded in policies and economic systems during transitions to sustainable energy. A recent study published in the journal *Frontiers in Environmental Science* and led by Bianca Ifeoma Chigbu of Walter Sisulu University in South Africa, sheds light on how these hidden costs disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
The research, which draws on case studies from Bolivia, Canada, South Africa, and Brazil, argues that silent violence is not an accidental byproduct of climate policies but a governance-enabled outcome. It manifests through policy loopholes, non-consultative permitting, regulatory capture, and enforcement failures. “Silent violence is a subset of structural violence that remains legally unframed, institutionally normalized, and largely invisible in climate policy discourse,” Chigbu explains.
The study introduces the concept of a “Silent Violence Continuum,” a tool to map how different governance instruments can escalate harms under the guise of sustainable development. This continuum ranges from soft forms of silent violence, such as epistemic exclusion and procedural marginalization, to hard forms, including criminalization, state repression, and even lethal harm.
For the energy sector, the implications are significant. As companies strive to meet sustainability goals, they must navigate a complex web of policies and regulations that can inadvertently perpetuate harm. “The study calls for the integration of silent violence metrics into climate policy evaluation to support more equitable, transparent, and non-violent transitions,” Chigbu notes.
The research contributes to critical climate justice scholarship by highlighting how silent violence operates as a design feature of transition governance rather than a failure. This insight could shape future developments in the field, prompting policymakers and energy companies to adopt more inclusive and equitable approaches to sustainable development.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, the concept of silent violence serves as a reminder that the path to a low-carbon future must be navigated with care and consideration for all communities. By integrating silent violence metrics into policy evaluation, the sector can work towards a more just and equitable transition, ensuring that the benefits of sustainable development are shared by all.