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Co-creating NZ’s energy future
Janet StephensonCentre for the Study of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Otago
‘Democratising Energy’ Hui, Puketeraki Marae 17 June 2011
Developing a taste for spinach
Conundrum
• “Worst ever carbon emissions leave climate on the brink” Guardian 29 May 2011
• “A controversial North Canterbury wind-farm proposal has drawn more than 130 submissions” Stuff 25 May 2011
3
Reducing energy-related emissions – to keep world under 2 degrees rise
From IEA World Energy Outlook (2009)
System-wide change needed
Not just about supplying more electricity: also• Distributed generation• Energy use & efficiency• Transport• Infrastructure• Attitudes & knowledge• The rise of ‘prosumers’, smart grids etcNeed living examples of how it can be done
Only one with more local opposition
Comparing submissions on 3 windfarms: local = within 15 km radius
Graham, Stephenson & Smith 2009
Why?
• Oppositional groups don’t seek coal-fired power stations!
• Effects on environment?– Noise, landscape traffic etc?
• Yes, but ... our interviewees mostly talked about other issues
Stephenson & Ioannou 2010
Why can’t we just have a normal dinner?
Why can’t we just have a normal dinner?
Not acceptable because...• Direct/tangible impacts (RMA
business)• Scale & size• Place attachment / values of
existing site• Absence of local benefits• Not appropriate sustainability
solution• Lack of trust in
developer/government• Lack of local
control/governance• Being cast as ‘the problem’• Not part of ‘cultural norm’
I don’t like the taste!I don’t like the taste!
There’s too much on my plate!
There’s too much on my plate!
What do I get out of this?What do I get out of this?
Let me make my own dinner!
I’d rather eat broccoli instead
What are you doing to me, Dad?
Why blame me if I don’t like it?
Why blame me if I don’t like it?
None of my friends have to eat it
None of my friends have to eat it
Addressing the ‘spinach’ factors:
• If communities are involved, opposition reduces
• Plenty of interest in ‘growing our own’ energy
Developing the taste for spinach in Blueskin Bay
Building on greater acceptability of smaller scale
Building on rich history of social entrepreneurs, inventiveness, DIY
Enabling forms of local involvement – joint ventures, community shares
Supporting community/individual initiatives
Some barriers:
Schaefer 2010
Farmer perceptions of barriers to installing wind turbines on their property (n =199) (initial cost not included)
BCRT’s vision
The spinach factorsWithin control of BCRT Should be addressed if good
processes & engagement
The barriersOutside of control of BCRTLikely to need external
support, formal alliances, shifts in policy, changes to market BAU, etc
First-off-the-block challenges (and rewards!)