Just Transition Toward Clean Energy Access With Focus on Lead-Based Perovskite Solar Cell Technology: Lessons,...

Energy poverty remains a critical barrier to sustainable development, particularly in emerging and developing economies. Whereas solar technologies enjoy a positive public perception compared to fossil fuel infrastructure, the phenomenon of 'green first' or support for renewable energy can mislead government officials or policymakers into believing that social acceptance is not a key issue when deploying innovative renewable energy projects. In spite of technological advances that have progressed in the field of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), critical ethical and environmental problems surrounding their application remain unresolved. Although, significant progress with PSCs, attention has focused on performance and scalability; few studies have integrated PSC toxicity, recycling, and environmental impacts within the energy justice framework applied to sub-Saharan Africa, Indo-Pacific regions, Latin America and other parts of the world. This review synthesizes evidence-based PSC environmental risks, recycling feasibility, and circular economy models, and links to potential impacts on equitable energy access in the context of environmental vulnerability and eco-safe resource constraints. The key findings show that while PSCs can dramatically reduce the cost of decentralised solar energy and enhance energy access, they can also support successful transitions that achieve the procedural, recognition, and equitable distribution and inclusivity necessary for energy justice globally.