scholarly journals A Characterization of European Collective Action Initiatives and their Role as Enablers of Citizens’ Participation in the Energy Transition

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 8452
Author(s):  
Veronica Lupi ◽  
Chiara Candelise ◽  
Merce Almuni Calull ◽  
Sarah Delvaux ◽  
Pieter Valkering ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Collective Action ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Social Perspectives ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Energy Projects ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Key Dimensions

This paper provides novel additional evidence on the characteristics of Collective Action Initiatives (CAIs), investigating their role within the European energy sector. It analyses and presents results of a survey administered in six European countries: the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Poland, Estonia, and Spain. CAIs are studied in light of four key dimensions, those being their creation dynamics, the way they are organized, financed, and the activities they undertake. The results presented are also interpreted to reflect on their role as drivers of social innovation (SI) within energy transition in Europe. The analysis shows that the contribution of CAIs to the energy transition has a much wider scope than the development of energy projects and provision of energy services. CAIs are intrinsically socially innovative models of implementation as characterised by a strong level of citizen involvement and participation. Moreover, they have a potential multi-level role in the energy transition, from the technological and social perspectives. Indeed, alongside traditional energy activities, our results show that CAIs are evolving and expanding towards socially innovative activities, raising awareness on environmental issues, promoting citizens’ mobilization, and fostering social inclusion.

scholarly journals Collective Action and Social Innovation in the Energy Sector: A Mobilization Model Perspective

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Sterling Gregg ◽  
Sophie Nyborg ◽  
Meiken Hansen ◽  
Valeria Jana Schwanitz ◽  
August Wierling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Collective Action ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Social Dimensions ◽  
Institutional Dynamics ◽  
Movement Theory ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Insight Into

This conceptual paper applies a mobilization model to Collective Action Initiatives (CAIs) in the energy sector. The goal is to synthesize aspects of sustainable transition theories with social movement theory to gain insights into how CAIs mobilize to bring about niche-regime change in the context of the sustainable energy transition. First, we demonstrate how energy communities, as a representation of CAIs, relate to social innovation. We then discuss how CAIs in the energy sector are understood within both sustainability transition theory and institutional dynamics theory. While these theories are adept at describing the role energy CAIs have in the energy transition, they do not yet offer much insight concerning the underlying social dimensions for the formation and upscaling of energy CAIs. Therefore, we adapt and apply a mobilization model to gain insight into the dimensions of mobilization and upscaling of CAIs in the energy sector. By doing so we show that the expanding role of CAIs in the energy sector is a function of their power acquisition through mobilization processes. We conclude with a look at future opportunities and challenges of CAIs in the energy transition.

The three paradoxes of the energy transition - Assessing sustainability of large-scale solar photovoltaic through multi-level and multi-scalar perspective in Rwanda

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 ◽  
pp. 125519
Author(s):  
Carole Brunet ◽  
Oumarou Savadogo ◽  
Pierre Baptiste ◽  
Michel A. Bouchard ◽  
Céline Cholez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic ◽  
Multi Level

scholarly journals The role of youth in the climate change debate

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Van Den Hazel
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Young People ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Business Leaders ◽  
Sustainable Lifestyles ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
The World ◽  
The Face ◽  
Indirect Impacts ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Abstract The impacts of climate change are not distributed equally. Some people will experience natural disasters first hand, some will be affected more gradually over time, and some will experience only indirect impacts. There are data from the United nations that show the interest of youth on climate change. Close to half a million youth around the world have taken action on climate change through SGP [small grants programmes] projects in their homes, schools and communities. (UNDP, 2015). 84% of the surveyed young people agree that they need more information to prevent climate change. (UNEP, 2011). Furthermore, about 73% of surveyed youth say they currently feel the effects climate change. (UNEP, GlobeScan Survey, 2008). Some 89% of youth respondents say young people can make a difference on climate change. [UNEP, 2008]. But only 9% of youth are very confident the world will act quickly enough to address climate change. [UNEP, 2008]. Young people are key actors in raising awareness, running educational programmes, promoting sustainable lifestyles, conserving nature, supporting renewable energy, adopting environmentally-friendly practices and implementing adaptation and mitigation projects[UNFCCC]. Action by youth, as protest school strikes or speeches to the UN by Greta Thunberg, urge immediate action from governments, business leaders and school leaders. There are different reasons for this action by youth. The psycho-social impacts of a changing climate are generally under lighted in these reasons. Are the responses by society enough to minimize suffering and promote resilience of youth in the face of the challenging impacts of climate change? Or do governments and businesses enough while they increasingly seem to be moving toward action on climate change, as they proclaim to cut their own emissions or be active in their energy transition? It is not clear whether those actions are enough to satisfy the next generation of customers, employees and decision makers.

scholarly journals DEFINITION OF DRIVING FACTORS FOR DESIGNING SOCIAL INNOVATIONS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 891-900
Author(s):  
Iban Lizarralde ◽  
Audrey Abi Akle ◽  
Mikhail Hamwi ◽  
Basma Samir
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Social Innovations ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Energy Community ◽  
New Criteria

AbstractCurrent development of renewable energy systems (RES) is characterised by an increasing participation of citizens in the upstream decision-making process. These citizens can be future users of the RES but also members of a Renewable Energy Community that develop RES. They can be at the same time Renewable Energy producer, investor and consumer. Moreover, several type of businesses and terms are used to cope with social innovations within the energy sector: local renewable projects, sustainable energy communities or community of renewable energy production. So, actors' engagement opens new solutions for designers who are induced to share alternatives before making decisions. They usually impose constraints since the early phases of the design process. This approach implies for designers to consider new criteria related to citizens motivations and barriers. This paper presents a study to define the main factors that drive people to contribute in social innovation schemes for clean-energy transition. After a state of the art, a survey about 6 main factors and 18 criteria is presented. The analysis based on the responses from 34 participants (i.e. experts) reveals 2 most important factors of motivation and 2 principal barrier sources.

scholarly journals Inclusive Universities in a Globalized World

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Liudvika Leišytė ◽  
Rosemary Deem ◽  
Charikleia Tzanakou
Keyword(s):  
Policy Making ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Thematic Issue ◽  
Agents Of Change ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Points Of View ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Theoretical Thinking ◽  
Globalized World ◽  
Country Specific

This thematic issue of Social Inclusion focuses on universities as inclusive organisations in a variety of different countries and higher education (HE) systems. It explores how these institutions aim, succeed or fail to become inclusive organisations, what policies and processes help achieve these goals and how academics and students can become agents of change through inclusive teaching and research cultures. The contributions in this thematic issue point to the multi‐level as well as multi‐faceted challenges and characteristics of inclusion in HE in general and in universities in particular, based on both student and academic points of view. They offer innovative conceptual ways of thinking as well as measuring inclusion. Further, they point out the importance of context in understanding the challenges of achieving equality and inclusion in universities through country‐specific as well as cross‐country comparisons of various aspects of diversity and inclusivity. We hope this thematic issue will inspire theoretical thinking, support practitioners and encourage policy‐making about more responsible ways of defining and fostering inclusive universities in a globalised world.

Reimaging the Routes to Resilience & Renewables in the CARICOM & OECS Caribbean

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-135
Author(s):  
Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy Sector ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Energy Projects ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Imported Oil

The states of the CARICOM and OECS Caribbean are small island developing states (SIDS) which are exceedingly vulnerable to economic and ecological shocks. Examples of vulnerability are the economic cost of a heavy reliance on imported oil & gas resources, and the pernicious effects of climate change. A key strategy to mitigate these vulnerabilities is to invest in renewables, increase resilience, and effect an energy transition for the Region. However, research and data on renewable energy and resilience in the region is still evolving. Further, it has become apparent from stakeholder fora such as CREF and IRAC that there are certain fundamental elements which need to be understood and addressed before the Region can achieve a just energy transition. The first is a clear understanding of what resilience means for the Region's renewable energy sector. The second relates to financing options which incorporate elements of resilience into renewable energy projects. Thirdly, in the rebuilding from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is recognised that reimagining full gender equality in the energy sector will be key to sustainable and competitive development. This Article explores the recent developments to re-imaging the route to resilience and renewables in the CARICOM & OECS Caribbean through collaborative efforts at the regional level. It also sets out the next steps in these three fundamental areas and outlines the role for future research to support these regional initiatives.

Sports as Social Innovation for Social Inclusion

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Anne Bunde-Birouste ◽  
Alex Richmond ◽  
Lynn Kemp
Keyword(s):  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Social Innovation

scholarly journals Urban Gardening in Germany: Cultivating a Sustainable Lifestyle for the Societal Transition to a Bioeconomy

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bastian Winkler ◽  
Anika Maier ◽  
Iris Lewandowski
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Cultivation System ◽  
Sustainable Lifestyle ◽  
Urban Gardening ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Insight Into

Urban gardening has the potential to turn the growing number of consumers into conscious producers by raising awareness of natural resource cycles, contributing to environmental conservation and climate change mitigation. This study investigated the motivations for urban gardening in Germany, based on an extensive review of 657 urban gardening project websites. The subsequent online survey of 380 project participants provides a characterization of the gardeners, giving insight into both cultivation methods and technologies used and the participants’ consumer behavior. It was shown that urban gardening has an influence on consumer behavior and can induce a change towards a more sustainable lifestyle. The gardens provide a space for the exchange of social values, knowledge and ideas on different ways of life among the diverse participants. Hence, urban gardening creates far more than just food; it influences society on multiple levels. Urban gardening can support the bottom-up societal transition towards a bioeconomy as both have common attributes. Finally, the paper proposes an innovative, resource-efficient cultivation system that may attract further societal groups to the urban gardening lifestyle, with the aim of fostering the development of the bioeconomy.

scholarly journals Unpacking Changing Multi-Actor and Multi-Level Actor Ties in Transformative Spaces: Insights from a Degraded Landscape, Machubeni, South Africa

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 227
Author(s):  
Menelisi Falayi ◽  
James Gambiza ◽  
Michael Schoon
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Land Degradation ◽  
Network Evolution ◽  
Clustering Coefficient ◽  
Edge Density ◽  
Policy Outcomes ◽  
Local Municipality ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Over Time

The loss of ecosystem services through land degradation continues to be a significant concern for policymakers and land users around the world. Facilitating collective action among various actors is regarded as imperative in halting land degradation. Despite extensive research on collective action, there have been few studies that continuously map social ties and detect network evolution as a way of enabling longitudinal analysis of transformative spaces. This paper seeks to examine the changing dynamics of multi-actor and multi-level actor ties over a period of two years in Machubeni, South Africa. To do this, we used social network analysis to detect continuities and/or discontinuities of multi-actor and multi-level actor ties over time. Overall, edge density, clustering coefficient, and reciprocity scores steadily increased over the two years despite a decline in the number of active organisations within the network. Our results demonstrate that the proportion of strong ties gradually increased over time across three governance networks. However, multi-level linkages between the local municipality and the local organisations remained weak due to a lack of trust and collaborative fatigue. While the transformative space has succeeded in enhancing collaboration and knowledge sharing between local organisations and researchers, further long-term engagement with government agencies might be necessary for promoting institutional transformations and policy outcomes, and building network resilience in complex polycentric governance systems.

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