Collective climate action: Determinants of participation intention in community-based pro-environmental initiatives

Abstract:Community-based energy organizations have been said to influence their members' energy-related behavior by activating social norms and by providing trustworthy information about sustainable energy investments and behaviors. However, little is known yet about members' actual energy use and how it differs from that of individuals who do not participate in such projects. In particular, selection effects are likely to arise, i.e. community-based energy projects may attract people that are different from the underlying population in terms of energy use. This article empirically addresses the question of the selection into community-based energy projects in terms of energy use, focusing on the case of renewable energy cooperatives. Based on quantitative data from an original survey conducted with one renewable energy cooperative in Flanders and using probit regression analyses, it contrasts a sample of cooperative members with an appropriate comparison group in terms of electricity usage. The results show that electricity consumption is positively related with cooperative membership, suggesting that high use consumers have greater incentives to join a communitybased organization which provides assistance and advice on the adoption of green technologies and energy efficiency measures. These findings contribute to an understanding of the relationship between community-based governance and sustainable energy practices.

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“…Bamberg et al (2015) and Kalkbrenner and Roosen (2016) analyze the predictors of the intention to participate in CBE projects in Germany.…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the links between community-based governance and sustainable energy use: Quantitative evidence from Flanders

Bauwens

Eyre

2017

Ecological Economics

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“…Recent research has explored the factors that influence participation in CRE projects (Bamberg et al, 2015;Dóci and Vasileiadou, 2015;Kalkbrenner and Roosen, 2016), but without significant or systematic investigation of the reasons why different types of members may have distinct 1 The lower values refer to the International Energy Agency World Energy Outlook 2009 Reference Scenario and the higher values to a scenario that seeks to stabilise atmospheric CO 2 concentrations at 450 ppm. motivations to join these initiatives.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Explaining the diversity of motivations behind community renewable energy

2016

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Community-based renewable energy initiatives may be important actors in the transition toward low-carbon energy systems. In turn, stimulating investments in renewable energy production at the community level requires a better understanding of investors' motives. This paper aims to study the heterogeneity of motivations that drive individuals to participate in community renewable energy projects and the underlying explanatory factors behind this, as well as the implications for their level of engagement in initiatives. Based on quantitative data from an original survey conducted with two renewable energy cooperatives in Flanders, the statistical analysis shows that cooperative members should not be considered as one homogeneous group. Several categories of members with different motives and levels of engagement can be distinguished. This heterogeneity is explained by contrasts in terms of institutional settings, spatial patterns and attitudes to the diffusion of institutional innovations. Regarding policy implications, the findings suggest that this heterogeneity should be taken into account in designing more effective supporting policies to stimulate investments at the community level.The activation of social norms is also shown to be a promising mechanism for triggering investment decisions, although the implications of its interplay with economic incentives should be further explored.

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“…As a starting point, it is worth explaining the information sharing variable, as it influences both, the design and implementation phases of an ICES. Findings from Janssen et al (2012) explain the importance of communication, implying that resource management can be influenced more by communication and trust than by the rules crafted around it [34][35][36]. Building trustworthy relationships within the community for successful and efficient implementation is essential and was in fact mentioned during all the interviews conducted in this research.…”

Section: Key Variablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Facilitating Energy Transition through Energy Commons: An Application of Socio-Ecological Systems Framework for Integrated Community Energy Systems

et al. 2018

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Integrated Community Energy Systems (ICES) are an emerging local energy system focusing on the collective use of distributed energy resources (DER). These socio-technical systems (STSs) have a high potential to advance the transition towards socially inclusive, environmentally-friendly energy systems and to stimulate the local economy. While there is an analogy between energy in ICES and other common goods such as natural resources, it is not clear to what extent the existing theoretical framework for Socio-ecological Systems (SES) on the commons accounts for the specificities of common resources in ICESs and other STSs. This research explores the applicability of the SES framework to energy commons that are firmly embedded in STS with reference to the DE Ramplaan ICES in the Netherlands. The formation process and governance characteristics of this ICES are revised, further aided by stakeholder interviews. A framework and a strategic plan that can be used to design and implement an ICES are proposed.

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Collective climate action: Determinants of participation intention in community-based pro-environmental initiatives

Cited by 255 publications

References 30 publications

Exploring the links between community-based governance and sustainable energy use: Quantitative evidence from Flanders

Exploring the links between community-based governance and sustainable energy use: Quantitative evidence from Flanders

Explaining the diversity of motivations behind community renewable energy

Facilitating Energy Transition through Energy Commons: An Application of Socio-Ecological Systems Framework for Integrated Community Energy Systems

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