An approachable bunch of theorists, empiricists, and some practitioners from various fields convened at the 5th International Sustainability Transitions Conference in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Most of the influential thinkers in the field were there, partaking in a carefully designed programme that centered on developments at the fringes of the fields of ‘sustainability transitions’ and ‘technology innovation systems’ research. The programme was a testament to just how much has happened in the last decade since transitions theory was first introduced as a theory of socio-technical change.
We have just returned from Adamawa, Central Northern Cameroon, where we had the opportunity to see first-hand the challenges and opportunities of domestic biogas as a means of providing clean and low-cost energy to remote, off-grid and low income areas. What was most interesting about this visit was to see the motivations for people to engage in renewable energy projects, and the barriers to ownership, compared to those in Europe. This opinion piece looks at the crux of the matter: the often underestimated role of social institutions, and a deep-rooted lack of trust in environments with weak or absent market institutions.
Two weeks ago I attended the launch of Community Energy England (CEE), and was part of a packed 250 strong delegation in Holborn, London. The event was excellent, with speakers from the interim CEE board and a range of practitioners from regional advisory groups and individual projects.
The Government has launched a discussion document aimed at ensuring that local people have the opportunity to gain shares or income from renewable energy developments, but in typically British centralising fashion it is ironic that this discussion seems to focussed on what the electricity majors want or are prepared to allow.
Over 1000 leaders from across the social spectrum assembled for the Clinton Global Initiative meeting (http://www.cgiamerica.org) in downtown Denver this week to address an ambitious set of issues surrounding the stuttering economic recovery in America. Established in June 2011 by President Bill Clinton, CGI America brings together leaders in business, government, and civil society to generate and implement commitments to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, foster innovation, and support workforce development in the United States. Since its first meeting, CGI America participants have made over 300 commitments valued at more than $15 billion when fully funded and implemented.
On Friday 14 February 2014, an EU Consultation on State Aid Rules for Energy closes. The proposed legislation will further disadvantage small renewable generation projects being driven forward by non-specialists, such as community groups and local stakeholders. Below is the response to the consultation I wrote on behalf of Scene.
The feed-in tariff has been responsible for kick-starting small to medium scale renewables in the UK. I, like many other renewable energy enthusiasts, was grateful for its introduction in 2010 and have been riding the emotional roller-coaster of uncertainties and cuts from pretty much that moment onwards. The famous solar cut of late 2011, which resulted in the gutting of a booming industry which had sprung up to take advantage of the very high tariff levels that were briefly on offer, has been followed by further cuts in solar and other technologies in every year since.
