Ecologic Institute eco An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Berlin logic Brussels Washington D.C. San Mateo CA � E NERGY TRANSITION AND BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE IN RURAL AREAS T HE ROLE OF ENERGY COOPERATIVES Timo Kaphengst, Eike Velten Ecologic Institute ISEE Conference 2014 13/8/14
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Thematic background Radical change of our economy is needed � Structural transformations are currently impeded and only occur in � certain niches Cities and urban areas are the major origin of social innovation � Energy transition in Germany and other European countries has � redirected focus of economic development to rural areas Challenges of rural areas: � • ageing population, high unemployment rates, social disparities and the lack of adaptive potential to the global market New actors in the energy market?: Energy cooperatives � • Beneficial form of energy generation? • Rather community-based approach to energy development 2 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development The German Energy Transition 3 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Characteristics of energy cooperatives 1) democratic all members of a cooperative have � one vote independently of their financial contribution; 2) open and flexible throughout the existence of a � cooperative, additional citizens can get engaged and new projects can be initiated; 3) secure each cooperative is required to join a � cooperative auditing association, which offers support and consultancy but also regular checks to prevent financial losses. 4 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Scope and objectives Overall aim: to investigate processes towards � RE in rural areas by paying particular attention to the role of energy cooperatives • Do energy cooperatives provide favourable structures for initialising transition processes in rural areas and involving relevant stakeholders? • Role of frontrunners in development of RE • Do energy cooperatives evoke changes in (environmental) behaviour among their members? 5 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development The Multi-level Perspective (MLP) Source: ¡ adapted ¡from ¡ Geels ¡(2011) ¡ Assump&on: ¡energy ¡coopera=ves ¡as ¡a ¡part ¡of ¡niche ¡ac=vi=es ¡towards ¡ the ¡implementa=on ¡of ¡renewable ¡energies ¡challenging ¡the ¡mostly ¡ fossil-‑based ¡energy ¡regime ¡at ¡regional ¡and ¡na=onal ¡level ¡ ¡ 6 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Transition Management TM stipulates a normative � decision and a prescriptive governance approach Aim: to mobilise, guide, and � accelerate social innovation Builds upon governance � and complex system theory , practical experiences and experiments Source: ¡Loorbach ¡(2007) ¡ 7 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Practice Theory Challenges the assumption � that rational individuals take conscious consumption decisions based on their attitudes and values Practices as the central unit � of analysis Example: people do not � desire a car, but strive to go to work in a convenient, safe and private way Source: ¡Shove ¡et ¡al., ¡2012 ¡ 8 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Methodological approach Case study in Northern Bavaria � • Two site visits at the district of Rhön-Grabfeld, interviews with key actors • Participatory Network Analysis • Online questionnaire sent to the members of cooperatives Additional information from two other case studies � based on a literature review • Island of Samsø, Denmark • Som Energia project in Spain 9 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development RE development in Rhön-Grabfeld 10 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Network of actors 11 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Key findings of Bavarian case study Beneficial factors for promoting RE in rural areas: Legal framework favouring renewable energies over fossil � energies, enabling a secure investment environment Funding to support initial activities that do not yet generate � income Frontrunners deeply rooted in the region and of high reputation � among population Established networks of actors and stakeholders � General attitude and willingness towards change among at least � some parts of the population A simple, convincing and highly inclusive concept � Spaces and capacities for open dialogues � 12 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Behavioural change in rural energy transition Employee (White Collar) 46% female 16% Retired 15% Worker (Blue-Collar) 10% Public Servant 7% Self-employed 6% Managerial Position 5% male 84% Farmer 4% Housewife/Househusband 4% No answer 2% Student 1% n=109 Unemployed 1% n = 110 13 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Position of respondents and money invested 100% 90% 80% (Rather) active Member 70% 15% 60% 50% 54% Supervisory board 14% (Rather) passive 40% member 59% 30% Chair 8% 20% 22% 7% 10% 14% 3% Other 1% 4% 0% no answer ≤ 100 Euro ≤ 1.000 Euro ≤ 10.000 Euro ≤ 100.000 Euro >100.000 Euro no answer 1% n=110 n=110 14 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Motivation for joining energy cooperative Important Less Important Not important 100% 90% 89% 80% Amount of Respondents 70% 60% 62% 62% 50% 53% 40% 37% 30% 29% 26% 25% 20% 8% 15% 10% 6% 8% 11% 1% 7% 0% Environmental Support the Community Interest in community Lucrative Investment Others protection / sustainable projects energy supply n=110; the remaining percentage to 100% is due to respondents giving no answer 15 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Fields of behavioural change 40% n=106 34% 35% 29% 30% 25% 20% 18% 17% 15% 12% 10% 5% 5% 0% Energy consumption Financial Investment Political Commitment Volunteering Mobility Diet 16 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Energy cooperatives and behavioural change Commitment and participation had an effect on the awareness and � behaviour of the people involved in energy cooperatives • Mainly altruistic motives rather than profit-driven motivations to become a member of an energy cooperative. There is a notable male dominance in energy transition in rural areas. • • For every field of behaviour at least two thirds of the respondents did not perceive an effect on behaviour • The most relevant behavioural change occurred in energy consumption and financial investments (“ proximity” argument ). Some caveats: � • Perception bias?: Man and older people tend to notice more behavioural changes Behavioural changes might be influenced by other factors or other people • PT: Energy cooperatives provide � Competences (social learning, skill enhancement) • Meaning (shared values and visions) • Materials (not so clear…) • 17 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
eco Ecologic Institute www.ecologic.eu logic An International Think Tank for Environment and Development Conclusions Energy cooperatives � • Attractive and inclusive vehicle for dynamics towards transition • Should gain additional attention in future research on transition at regional scale • Should be promoted by governments More research is needed how such networks evolve and � which role frontrunners have in this process Rapidly changing energy markets create new � opportunities for cooperation between producers and consumers, governments and stakeholders, civil society etc. Results and findings of behavioural changes need more � consolidation 18 ¡ 13/8/14 ISEE Conference 2014
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