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Discussions about nuclear energy in Türkiye are held in the shadow of the political polarization between the People’s Alliance and the Nation’s Alliance. However, there are no comprehensive studies that have investigated how political polarization affects the social acceptance of nuclear energy. To investigate these effects, face-to-face interviews (n=52) were conducted with people living around the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. The study found two main results: first, the most important factor affecting the social acceptance of nuclear energy is the nuclear energy policies of the political parties they vote for; and second, those who vote for the People’s Alliance, which advocates nuclear energy, have a high benefit perception, while those who vote for the Nation’s Alliance, which opposes nuclear energy, have a high risk perception. The article concludes that Turkish nuclear energy policy is a highly political issue rather than just a strictly environmental one.

The role of political parties in the public perception of nuclear energy

Energy injustice or gender injustice?

Coal provides about 30 % of Turkey’s energy needs. It is widely acknowledged that coal presents significant environmental and public health hazards. However, little is known about how women and men who use natural gas in Turkey are affected by the environmental risks associated with coal. The primary objective of this research is to ascertain the impact of coal-related environmental hazards on natural gas consumers in Turkey, as well as the gender-based distribution of these risks. To achieve this aim, 44 natural gas users in Istanbul’s Mustafa Kemal Neighborhood, where both coal and natural gas use are prevalent, participated in semi-structured interviews. Four main conclusions were reached: first, coal use triggers distributional injustice; second, patriarchal social structure results in women being more greatly affected by coal-related environmental problems; third, women are more greatly affected by coal-related environmental problems in poor families; and fourth, coal-related environmental problems affect women in families with high religious values to a greater extent. This study concludes that gender inequality in coal-related environmental problems triggers distributive energy injustice between genders. The subsequent policy suggestions were proposed to prevent energy inequality: providing free healthcare to women without income, terminating free coal distribution as a form of social assistance, boosting women’s engagement in the workforce, and recognizing the gender aspect of energy policies.

Neighboring country's nuclear power plant? “No, thanks”: An energy justice analysis

The Metsamor nuclear power plant in Armenia, which was commissioned in 1976, is located 16 km from the Turkish border. The risks and opportunities associated with Metsamor, which meets 40% of Armenia’s energy needs, also affect those living along the Turkish border; however, it is not academically known how these risks and opportunities are distributed among those living along the Turkish border. There are no comprehensive studies analyzing the impacts of the Metsamor nuclear power plant on Türkiye from an energy justice perspective. To address this gap in understanding, face-to-face interviews were conducted with residents (n = 44) living 30 km away from Metsamor on the Turkish border. Two main conclusions were reached: first, the participants perceive that the opportunities and risks of the Metsamor NPP are not shared fairly with those living in Turkey; and second, those living on the Turkish border near Metsamor do not have the right to participate in any decision-making processes related to nuclear energy, access to information, and access to justice. This study concludes that nuclear power plants located on a country’s borders can lead to energy injustice in neighboring countries.