How public environmental attention enhances energy justice

The environmental impacts of the energy transition have been widely studied, but research on the energy justice challenges associated with this process remains limited. This study examines the mechanisms and spatial effects of public environmental attention on energy justice. Using panel data for 286 prefecture-level cities in China between 2011 and 2021, we developed a comprehensive energy justice index encompassing three dimensions: distributive justice, procedural justice, and restorative justice. By utilising Baidu search index data for “environmental pollution” and “smog” as proxies for public environmental attention, we find that increased public environmental attention significantly contributes to the realisation of energy justice. Further analysis reveals that public environmental attention influences energy justice through two primary channels: (1) the political participation channel, where rising environmental attention mitigates the “spiral of silence,” encouraging residents to voice concerns about energy injustices and prompting the government to improve energy governance; (2) the pro-environmental behaviour channel, where increased environmental attention drives individuals to adopt more eco-friendly behaviours in daily life. This individual behaviour, amplified by the demonstration effect within the actor-network, gradually extends its impact, fostering collective action that promotes energy justice. Spatial econometric analysis shows that public environmental attention has a significant direct effect on energy justice within local area, with no notable indirect effects on neighbouring regions. These findings provide new empirical evidence for understanding the role of public attention and participation in advancing energy justice, offering valuable insights for policy development aimed at promoting a fair energy transition.