Towards socially sustainable renewable energy projects through involvement of local communities:Normative aspects and practices on the ground

• Main Authors: Buhmann, Karin, Bowles, Paul, Cambou, Dorothee, Hurup Skjervedal, Anna-Sofie, Stoddart, Mark
• Other Authors: Natcher, David C., Koivurova, Timo, Area and Cultural Studies, Helsinki Inequality Initiative (INEQ), Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: 5171 Political Science; Arctic region; Energy justice; renewable energy projects; indigenous peoples; climate change; Arctic; Canada; Greenland; Climate change
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10138/339857

In Chapter 9, Karin Buhmann and her colleagues examine social implication of how climate change has spurred projects in Arctic countries to shift to low-carbon renewable energy sources. Several of these projects have been met by protests by local communities including Indigenous groups concerned with environmental and social impacts. These tensions underscore the need for stronger and meaningful involvement of communities and Indigenous groups and peoples in impact assessments and consultation processes in order to identify and address concerns from the local perspective. Based on cases from Sápmi, Greenland and Canada this chapter shows that renewable energy projects can have perversely negative impacts on community health and safety as well as the traditions and income-generating activities of Arctic Indigenous groups. The authors argue that the need for energy justice highlights the importance of approaching climate change responses and renewable energy transitions in ways that adequately address local concerns, needs and rights in a manner that is meaningful to those who may be adversely affected. Peer reviewed