Justice in their backyard : an analysis of rural energy transition and opposition to wind energy in Germany
(2020) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20201LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
- Abstract
- The large-scale expansion of wind energy is an important element of the energy transition in Germany and a necessary tool to mitigate climate change. Yet, it is contested in many rural settings across the country. This thesis builds on the argument that rural areas are a crucial factor for the energy transition. They serve as the sites that host most of the infrastructure needed in the transition and they also bear the perceived costs. Nonetheless, they have not gathered much attention from scholars in energy transition studies. The multi-dimensional approach applied in this thesis therefore highlights the often-overlooked element of “the rural” in energy transitions and helps to approach the conflicts in Germany within a more holistic... (More)
- The large-scale expansion of wind energy is an important element of the energy transition in Germany and a necessary tool to mitigate climate change. Yet, it is contested in many rural settings across the country. This thesis builds on the argument that rural areas are a crucial factor for the energy transition. They serve as the sites that host most of the infrastructure needed in the transition and they also bear the perceived costs. Nonetheless, they have not gathered much attention from scholars in energy transition studies. The multi-dimensional approach applied in this thesis therefore highlights the often-overlooked element of “the rural” in energy transitions and helps to approach the conflicts in Germany within a more holistic frame. This thesis sets out to confront the identified research problem with a case-based analysis of two wind energy projects in the Black Forest, a region in southwestern Germany. By conducting a systematic document analysis, I illustrate how the energy transition turns the rural area into a space marked by a dynamic conflict. I further evaluate how the transition affects the chances of rural development as well as the potential for the communities to co-construct the space they are living in. Through the lens of the energy justice framework, I highlight elements of (in)justice in past processes and point to potential trajectories for a just rural energy transition.
My study shows that there are many obstacles for the rural population to be involved equally in the transition. Although some elements of procedural and distributive justice were identified, genuine involvement was hindered for example, by the fact that transparent disclosure of information happened at a point when important decision-making already occurred. The imbalance regarding benefits being distributed throughout the region and costs being allocated majorly in one community further contributed to perceived injustice. The results of this thesis are in line with scholars arguing that the energy transition does not automatically provide rural areas with chances for social and economic development and that a just transition is very much based on the regional context. This thesis is proof that there is no single simple solution for addressing the issue of climate change and achieving sustainability in a “win-win” situation. The urgency of the issue can only be met when we identify injustice and find local responses to it. If not, the alternative will be marked by social division and inequality, preventing us from collaborating in the combat against climate change. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9012681
- author
- Eisinger, Miriam Lena LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- MESM02 20201
- year
- 2020
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- rural energy transition, energy justice, wind energy expansion, sustainability science, multi-dimensional approach, rural areas, just transitions
- publication/series
- Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
- report number
- 2020:036
- language
- English
- id
- 9012681
- date added to LUP
- 2020-06-08 11:24:48
- date last changed
- 2020-06-08 11:24:48
@misc{9012681,
abstract = {{The large-scale expansion of wind energy is an important element of the energy transition in Germany and a necessary tool to mitigate climate change. Yet, it is contested in many rural settings across the country. This thesis builds on the argument that rural areas are a crucial factor for the energy transition. They serve as the sites that host most of the infrastructure needed in the transition and they also bear the perceived costs. Nonetheless, they have not gathered much attention from scholars in energy transition studies. The multi-dimensional approach applied in this thesis therefore highlights the often-overlooked element of “the rural” in energy transitions and helps to approach the conflicts in Germany within a more holistic frame. This thesis sets out to confront the identified research problem with a case-based analysis of two wind energy projects in the Black Forest, a region in southwestern Germany. By conducting a systematic document analysis, I illustrate how the energy transition turns the rural area into a space marked by a dynamic conflict. I further evaluate how the transition affects the chances of rural development as well as the potential for the communities to co-construct the space they are living in. Through the lens of the energy justice framework, I highlight elements of (in)justice in past processes and point to potential trajectories for a just rural energy transition.
My study shows that there are many obstacles for the rural population to be involved equally in the transition. Although some elements of procedural and distributive justice were identified, genuine involvement was hindered for example, by the fact that transparent disclosure of information happened at a point when important decision-making already occurred. The imbalance regarding benefits being distributed throughout the region and costs being allocated majorly in one community further contributed to perceived injustice. The results of this thesis are in line with scholars arguing that the energy transition does not automatically provide rural areas with chances for social and economic development and that a just transition is very much based on the regional context. This thesis is proof that there is no single simple solution for addressing the issue of climate change and achieving sustainability in a “win-win” situation. The urgency of the issue can only be met when we identify injustice and find local responses to it. If not, the alternative will be marked by social division and inequality, preventing us from collaborating in the combat against climate change.}},
author = {{Eisinger, Miriam Lena}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
series = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
title = {{Justice in their backyard : an analysis of rural energy transition and opposition to wind energy in Germany}},
year = {{2020}},
}