Who Owns Renewable Energy? The Advantages of Aristotelian-Influenced Ownership

Abstract

As renewable energy becomes increasingly important, we may ask philosophical questions such as who owns renewable energy? Due to renewable energy’s widespread nature and its potential for domestic harnessing, it suits an Aristotelian-influenced ownership type where the energy is largely harnessed by individual, self-reliant households. Such an ownership type also is advantageous, in that it would encourage sustainability, support the rights of small groups and provide a form of social justice. Hence, it offers a route for developing future energy policy, and may be favoured by societies largely composed of self-contained homes but could also cater for small communities.