Exploring Procedural Justice in Stakeholder Engagement

A pair of recent studies highlight the growing importance of procedural justice in stakeholder engagement. Lemke, Hanger-Kopp, and Beier (2024) argue that many stakeholder identification methods lack transparency, risking exclusion and bias. They assess three common approaches—analytical, sampling-based, and participatory—and call for more inclusive, iterative, and well-documented processes. Meanwhile, Kilimcioğlu (2025) explores procedural fairness in South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP), showing that meaningful consultation is essential in coal-dependent regions. Drawing on legal precedents, she emphasizes that fair process and equitable participation are vital to avoid reinforcing existing inequalities. Together, both studies call for stakeholder engagement grounded in transparency, inclusivity, and legitimacy.