The less travelled road to Just Transition in Changhua, Taiwan: A story of Sun, Sea, and Wind Power.

Achieving net-zero carbon emissions is a global common development goal. In the central coastal region of Taiwan, particularly in Changhua, besides onshore wind turbines and solar photovoltaic facilities lining the coast, the unique offshore geographical conditions make it a crucial area for offshore wind power development. This study explores the development of offshore wind power in the Changhua coastal area and the potential social and economic impact on coastal communities and their livelihood transitions. This paper presents analysis of both (i) Primary data from semi-structured interviews conducted between 2020 and 2023, and (ii) secondary qualitative data extracted from the Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research Changhua Station (LTSER Changhua) in Taiwan. The findings presented will focus on the potential for a just transition for communities who depend on Chunghua’s Oyster aquaculture, presenting the perceived social and economic impact of the changing coastal and energy landscapes in Taiwan, we then utilise the energy justice lens to explore how coastal governance and spatial planning can better engage with this sector to improve pathways to just transition.