With growing demands related to climate change, it is crucial to ensure justice in the context of energy transition and food systems. This systematic review examines how climate and energy justice models (distributive, procedural, recognitional, and restorative) have been incorporated into renewable energy (RE) programs, and the impact of these justice-based transformations on food security. In accordance with a pre-registered procedure (Open Science Framework), we searched Scopus, Web of Science, Scilit, DOAJ, and Google Scholar for related literature published between 2009 and 2025. Overall, 45 peer-reviewed articles that met the inclusion criteria formulated by SPIDER were included, and the data were analysed using thematic analysis and narrative synthesis. The review then found eight thematic areas (1) justice frameworks in the energy-food-climate nexus; (2) decentralised and community energy models; (3) vulnerable populations and spatial inequity; (4) RE and food security trade-offs; (5) Policy and Governance Mechanisms for Just Transition; (6) metrics, Frameworks, and methodological innovations; (7) climate finance and Global South Priorities and (8) gender, Labour, and intergenerational justice. Specifically, the newly developed literature in Sub-Saharan Africa documents region-specific issues and policy gaps in harmonising the objective of RE, food security, and justice. Comprehensively, this interdisciplinary review highlights the policy relevance and novelty of applying justice principles to RE and food security planning. It provides timely information to inform policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, enabling them to form a clear picture of policy by reconciling climate justice, energy policy, and food security. • The principles of justice are being increasingly applied when considering renewable energy transitions. • There are renewable energy sources that can promote food security, while others pose threats to food-growing communities. • Just energy transitions are poorly governed, with weak participation and coordination. • The global south experiences significant financial and capacity discrepancies in establishing equal energy and food transitions. • Gender, labour, and youth justice are increasingly being given attention, but they have yet to be appropriately factored into policy and practice.
N. et al. (Wed,) studied this question.