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(Em)powering community energy on Gotland : An exploration of energy justice through a case study of "an island in an island"

Mundbjerg, Frida Malin Møberg LU and Thomsen, Marie Bredkjær LU (2023) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20231
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
The energy transition raises concerns about local communities' marginalisation in decision-making and ownership models, leading to justice debates. Community energy (CE) gains attention as a pathway towards energy justice (EJ). Drawing on qualitative data collected on Gotland, we examine how the Austerland CE project delivers EJ. Our findings indicate that despite gender equality among members, there are ownership barriers for low-income groups and age-related disparities causing uneven distributional justice. We identify efforts made towards procedural justice but representation gaps in leadership remain. While vulnerable groups are partly recognised, recognition justice is not fully achieved due to limited efforts to engage them. The... (More)
The energy transition raises concerns about local communities' marginalisation in decision-making and ownership models, leading to justice debates. Community energy (CE) gains attention as a pathway towards energy justice (EJ). Drawing on qualitative data collected on Gotland, we examine how the Austerland CE project delivers EJ. Our findings indicate that despite gender equality among members, there are ownership barriers for low-income groups and age-related disparities causing uneven distributional justice. We identify efforts made towards procedural justice but representation gaps in leadership remain. While vulnerable groups are partly recognised, recognition justice is not fully achieved due to limited efforts to engage them. The project delivers EJ on several parameters, and a strong island identity supports its implementation. However, structural barriers challenge Austerland’s ability to deliver EJ fully. Our study reveals that CE projects have the potential to deliver EJ, but structural changes are required to address barriers beyond the project’s control. (Less)
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author
Mundbjerg, Frida Malin Møberg LU and Thomsen, Marie Bredkjær LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20231
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
community energy, energy justice, island identity, local empowerment, energy transition, Gotland, sustainability science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2023:032
language
English
additional info
We have received funding from Margit Stiernswärds fund for environmental management research and Mine Islar & Henner Busch’s research project “Of People, PV, Power Lines: Energy Islands in the Nordics”.
id
9120318
date added to LUP
2023-06-12 08:29:03
date last changed
2023-06-12 08:29:03
@misc{9120318,
  abstract     = {{The energy transition raises concerns about local communities' marginalisation in decision-making and ownership models, leading to justice debates. Community energy (CE) gains attention as a pathway towards energy justice (EJ). Drawing on qualitative data collected on Gotland, we examine how the Austerland CE project delivers EJ. Our findings indicate that despite gender equality among members, there are ownership barriers for low-income groups and age-related disparities causing uneven distributional justice. We identify efforts made towards procedural justice but representation gaps in leadership remain. While vulnerable groups are partly recognised, recognition justice is not fully achieved due to limited efforts to engage them. The project delivers EJ on several parameters, and a strong island identity supports its implementation. However, structural barriers challenge Austerland’s ability to deliver EJ fully. Our study reveals that CE projects have the potential to deliver EJ, but structural changes are required to address barriers beyond the project’s control.}},
  author       = {{Mundbjerg, Frida Malin Møberg and Thomsen, Marie Bredkjær}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{(Em)powering community energy on Gotland : An exploration of energy justice through a case study of "an island in an island"}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}