The Role of Local Government in Implementing Renewable Energy Sources in Households (Podkarpacie Case Study)

Abstract

The implementation of renewable energy in households can contribute to achieving climate goals, improving air quality and improving energy security. At the local level, this goal may be supported by local authorities, but in Poland, as in many countries, the use of renewable energy is not a mandatory task of local government units. The aim of this study is to analyze the role of local government, i.e., municipalities, in the adaptation of RES installations in residents’ households. The source of empirical materials was a survey of households using renewable energy installations, carried out in 2021 in the Podkarpacie region in Southeastern Poland. It has been shown that the inhabitants benefit from the support of municipalities in financing the installations, as well as information and consulting support. Municipalities support renewable energy in the “civic” segment mainly through the implementation of the so-called umbrella projects. They have a positive effect on the adaptation of RES not only in the households of the project participants, but through the imitation effect, also in other households in the immediate vicinity. The municipality effectiveness in this type of activities depends on the efficiency of project implementation and the quality of information on the conditions of participation in the project and the benefits of renewable energy.

Are Most Polluted Regions Most Active in Energy Transition Processes? A Case Study of Polish Regions Acquiring EU Funds for Local Investments in Renewable Energy Sources

“…Interest in studying energy transition, particularly concerning the development of renewable energy sources at the local level, has recently been expressed by many researchers not only in Poland (see [104][105][106]) but also worldwide [107][108][109][110][111]. The role of the local government tier in the support of this transformation and mitigation of climate change is obvious (e.g., [112,113]).…”

“…Thus, it may be stated that the financial situation of local government units is a significant determinant in this respect. Financial and legal barriers are also indicated in studies on the development of renewable energy sources in Sweden [105,122]. A different opinion was expressed by Lackowska and Swianiewicz [123], who stated that it is not affluence that determines whether or not we do something, although it may determine the scale of our activity.…”

“…The awareness (conviction) and skills and competencies related to the size of the local government unit are decisive. Kata et al [105] also indicated a significant role of local government units as entities stimulating such investments among their inhabitants. Communes support renewable energy enterprises in their participatory budgeting, mainly through so-called umbrella projects.…”

Examining the Mediating Effects of Social Capital and Community-Based Tourism on the Role of Tourism Villages in Sustainable Tourism

“…Tourist villages have a direct role and involvement in organizing tourism in the village (Wang and Xu 2014). Through various policies, tourist villages can play their role in directing (Liu et al 2020), encouraging the implementation of tourism towards the desired direction (Yang et al 2021), and implementing various financial, marketing, and technical assistance, consultation and coordination strategies (Kata et al 2022) as well as acting as a motivator and facilitator (Simamora and Sinaga 2016). One study that states that the role of tourism village influences sustainable tourism is influenced by research (Junaid et…”

“…It plays a role in direct involvement in organizing tourism in the village (Wang and Xu 2014) as a motivator and, at the same time, as a facilitator for tourism development in the village (Simamora and Sinaga, 2016). Through various policies, tourist villages can play their role in directing (Liu et al 2020), encouraging the implementation of tourism in the desired direction (Yang et al 2021), and implementing various financial, marketing, technical assistance, consultation and coordination strategies (Kata et al 2022).…”