Community innovation for sustainable energy

摘要: As in other countries, there is a growing public, policy and business interest the UK roles potential of community-led initiatives for sustainable energy consumption production. Such include green lifestyle-based activities to reduce (e.g. Transition Towns, Carbon Reduction Action Groups), more traditional behaviour change such as neighbourhood insulation projects energy-saving campaigns, well renewable generation community-owned windfarms biofuel projects. Case studies specific identify variety rationales amongst participants, whilst suggests instrumental concern facilitating additional, larger-scale transitions. Amongst participant are ideas that bottom-up, community-based deliver savings changes top-down instruments cannot achieve, due greater local knowledge engagement they embody, sense common ownership empowerment, social capital trust generated among actors. These resources provide organisational values-based 'grassroots innovations' which experiment with new practices based on alternative 'new economics' values. However, previous research shows face series critical challenges requiring support overcome, order achieve their benefits widely. This includes developing 'niche' networks mobilising reforms both highly centralised institutions infrastructures, deeply ingrained 'normal' everyday life. What makes this experience fascinating purposes SCORAI workshop way these trying develop energy-related view socio-technical transition local, or lower carbon systems. Understandably, many remain practically focused securing early successes resourcing long-term survival. institutional infrastructure will help endeavour require strategies addressing wider (national international) political economy adopts an ecological modernisation approach sustainability. In surveying community scene UK, our paper pays particular attention last issue.