Mapping energy citizenship in the south of Europe
The adoption of new global approaches in the field of energy democratization requires inquiring into how people act to shape the energy system. This is where the concept of energy citizenship (ENCI) appears as a constellation of actors that enable and/or support citizens to became active participant...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1112457/full |
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| author | Adina Claudia Dumitru Luisa Losada-Puente Manuel Peralbo Juan Carlos Brenlla Nuria Rebollo-Quintela Manuel García-Fernández |
| author_facet | Adina Claudia Dumitru Luisa Losada-Puente Manuel Peralbo Juan Carlos Brenlla Nuria Rebollo-Quintela Manuel García-Fernández |
| author_sort | Adina Claudia Dumitru |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The adoption of new global approaches in the field of energy democratization requires inquiring into how people act to shape the energy system. This is where the concept of energy citizenship (ENCI) appears as a constellation of actors that enable and/or support citizens to became active participants in the debates and energy systems both in private and public sphere, or as a collective citizen that contributes to change (Pel et al., 2021). The aim of this paper is to explore the concept of ENCI in Southern Europe. Using a mixed approach, an extensive mapping of 43 ENCI initiatives in Spain (n = 29) and Portugal (n = 14) was conducted through desktop research, and a stakeholder consultation workshop (n = 7) was carried out through a focus group. Results revealed the major presence of collective ENCI types, with the citizen-based/hybrid one standing out (e.g., energy cooperatives). Most of them were motivated by the interest to contribute to energy transition or to produce and/or use renewable energy, and aimed at promoting energy saving, energy justice and reducing the carbon footprint. The general tendency is towards active participation (in Spain) and transformative forms (in Portugal). The possibilities for citizen control in the initiatives analysed is still limited. These results were confirmed by stakeholders who, additionally, pointed out the major political, social, economic, and geographical factors related to ENCI forms. In short, various types of ENCI could be validated in the Spanish and Portuguese context, showing a commitment to sustainability, democracy, and energy justice. Other non-evidenced forms may be raised as a challenge to further in-depth research on latent forms of ENCI in Southern Europe. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T16:15:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f1e087bc8fdf45428a749810b0184e5e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T16:15:00Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-f1e087bc8fdf45428a749810b0184e5e2023-08-09T07:52:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-08-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.11124571112457Mapping energy citizenship in the south of EuropeAdina Claudia Dumitru0Luisa Losada-Puente1Manuel Peralbo2Juan Carlos Brenlla3Nuria Rebollo-Quintela4Manuel García-Fernández5Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Studies, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, SpainDepartment of Specific Didactics and Methods of Research and Diagnosis in Education, Faculty of Educational Studies, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, SpainDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Studies, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, SpainDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Studies, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, SpainDepartment of Specific Didactics and Methods of Research and Diagnosis in Education, Faculty of Educational Studies, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, SpainDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Studies, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, SpainThe adoption of new global approaches in the field of energy democratization requires inquiring into how people act to shape the energy system. This is where the concept of energy citizenship (ENCI) appears as a constellation of actors that enable and/or support citizens to became active participants in the debates and energy systems both in private and public sphere, or as a collective citizen that contributes to change (Pel et al., 2021). The aim of this paper is to explore the concept of ENCI in Southern Europe. Using a mixed approach, an extensive mapping of 43 ENCI initiatives in Spain (n = 29) and Portugal (n = 14) was conducted through desktop research, and a stakeholder consultation workshop (n = 7) was carried out through a focus group. Results revealed the major presence of collective ENCI types, with the citizen-based/hybrid one standing out (e.g., energy cooperatives). Most of them were motivated by the interest to contribute to energy transition or to produce and/or use renewable energy, and aimed at promoting energy saving, energy justice and reducing the carbon footprint. The general tendency is towards active participation (in Spain) and transformative forms (in Portugal). The possibilities for citizen control in the initiatives analysed is still limited. These results were confirmed by stakeholders who, additionally, pointed out the major political, social, economic, and geographical factors related to ENCI forms. In short, various types of ENCI could be validated in the Spanish and Portuguese context, showing a commitment to sustainability, democracy, and energy justice. Other non-evidenced forms may be raised as a challenge to further in-depth research on latent forms of ENCI in Southern Europe.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1112457/fullenergy citizenshipsocial innovationsustainable transitionenergy governancecitizen empowermentenergy democracy |
| spellingShingle | Adina Claudia Dumitru Luisa Losada-Puente Manuel Peralbo Juan Carlos Brenlla Nuria Rebollo-Quintela Manuel García-Fernández Mapping energy citizenship in the south of Europe Frontiers in Psychology energy citizenship social innovation sustainable transition energy governance citizen empowerment energy democracy |
| title | Mapping energy citizenship in the south of Europe |
| title_full | Mapping energy citizenship in the south of Europe |
| title_fullStr | Mapping energy citizenship in the south of Europe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mapping energy citizenship in the south of Europe |
| title_short | Mapping energy citizenship in the south of Europe |
| title_sort | mapping energy citizenship in the south of europe |
| topic | energy citizenship social innovation sustainable transition energy governance citizen empowerment energy democracy |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1112457/full |
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