A perspective on the human dimensions of a transition to net-zero energy systems

Perlaviciute, Goda; Steg, Linda; Sovacool, Benjamin K.

doi:10.1016/j.egycc.2021.100042

Cited by 45 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 107 publications

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“…This is where social science research has an important role to play by shedding light on relevant actors and identifying factors that influence their support for energy policies and low carbon technologies. Findings from this line of research can inform measures to promote changes in energy systems (Perlaviciute et al, 2021;Steg et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Mapping perceptions of energy transition pathways: Ascribed motives and effectiveness

et al. 2022

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This study examines how people perceive possible pathways of a societal transition towards less carbon intensive means of energy production and use. Data were collected with questionnaires among samples of university students in Norway (N = 106) and Germany (N = 142). Participants selected from a set of 15 motives those which they considered to be strongly associated with each of 25 pathways, including examples such as public transportation and nuclear power. Participants also rated the effectiveness of each single pathway, that is, their perceived impact on climate change. Results indicate that the various pathways were associated with specific motives; for example, individual actions such as taking public transportation were closely associated with a self-restraint motive, pathways such as nuclear power and market strategies such as carbon offsets were closely associated with motives supporting free market and progress, and technological solutions such as solar panels and hydro power were associated with the motive for sufficient energy supply. The German and the Norwegian sample did not differ markedly in which pathways were associated with which motives; nor did effectiveness ratings for pathways differ between samples. Solar panels, wind farms, and hydropower were on average regarded as having a mitigating impact on climate change, whereas nuclear power was on average considered to have no mitigating impact. The findings are discussed in the context of public engagement with several of the suggested pathways, noting differences in perceptual patterns across samples.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Mapping perceptions of energy transition pathways: Ascribed motives and effectiveness

et al. 2022

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“…The current fossil-fuel-dominated power sector is not considered as just in the following aspects: (a) the “polluters-pay” principle has not been well followed, which means the large fossil fuel companies have not taken full responsibility for the pollution and greenhouse gas emission externality from their operations; (b) the energy bills for the poor are unproportionally large compared to the rich, which undermines the basic product characteristics of electricity. How to ensure such marginalized people are positively impacted during the fossil fuel decarbonization transition is the grand challenge of just transition ( Perlaviciute et al., 2021 ). The first and most important aspect of just transition is to ensure electricity access at a low energy price, especially for the poor to avoid energy poverty ( Carley and Konisky, 2020 ; Frankowski and Tirado Herrero, 2021 ).…”

Section: Just Transitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If the ongoing net-zero energy transition undermines poverty alleviation (listed as first of the 17 United Nation Sustainable Development Goal), it should not be perceived as just. One of the biggest reasons why divorcing fossil fuel power plants quickly is very difficult is the fact: in many places, fossil fuels are still considered the cheapest energy source by central or local government, which may or may not be true according to the specific political-economical condition ( Baker et al., 2021 ; Murtagh et al., 2021 ; Perlaviciute et al., 2021 ). Gradual fossil fuel subsidy reform plus stable renewable energy subsidies could narrow the macroeconomic impact of phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, whereas the impact differs among different countries and rich/poor people.…”

Section: Just Transitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…marginalized people are positively impacted during the fossil fuel decarbonization transition is the grand challenge of just transition (Perlaviciute et al, 2021). The first and most important aspect of just transition is to ensure electricity access at a low energy price, especially for the poor to avoid energy poverty (Carley and Konisky, 2020;Frankowski and Tirado Herrero, 2021).…”

Section: Ll Open Accessmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Understanding the complexity of existing fossil fuel power plant decarbonization

et al. 2022

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“…Climate policies are conceptualized broadly in this paper to encompass general agreements, visions, and programs (e.g., the Paris Agreement, national climate policies), as well as specific measures that derive from them (e.g., renewable energy siting in specific locations), aimed at mitigating climate change and its negative consequences. Particularly important are policies targeted at energy production and use (e.g., reducing energy use, transitioning to low‐/zero‐carbon energy sources), since energy generation from fossil fuels takes a lion's share in global carbon emissions (IEA, 2021; Perlaviciute et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contested climate policies and the four Ds of public participation: From normative standards to what people want

Perlaviciute

2021

WIREs Climate Change

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Stimulating public participation in decision making is heralded as a way to get climate policies accepted by the public. Yet, little is known about whether and when public participation can increase policy acceptability. This is true in particular of practices organized by responsible parties to engage the public in decision making. Based on a vast body of interdisciplinary literature, four types of normative standards for effective public participation can be distilled, which I call the four Ds: dialogue, decision-making power, diversity, and deliberation. However, normative standards may not be enough for reaching socially acceptable climate policies, if people do not want to participate, or want to participate too late in decision making, and are not open to different perspectives. The result can be fake participation, exclusion, and polarization-all which may reduce, rather than increase, public acceptability of climate policies. Understanding public preferences for participation is therefore critical for the implementation of the four Ds and for reaching socially acceptable climate policies. This Perspective article is relevant for scientists, policy makers, NGO's, businesses, interest groups, and other parties wanting to understand how to engage the public in climate decision making.

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A perspective on the human dimensions of a transition to net-zero energy systems

Cited by 45 publications

References 107 publications

Mapping perceptions of energy transition pathways: Ascribed motives and effectiveness

Mapping perceptions of energy transition pathways: Ascribed motives and effectiveness

Understanding the complexity of existing fossil fuel power plant decarbonization

Contested climate policies and the four Ds of public participation: From normative standards to what people want

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