Researchers at the University of Copenhagen are working on a new model to increase citizen engagement in the transition to green energy, with a particular focus on the use of citizens' assemblies.
The new initiative, co-funded by Innovation Fund Denmark, aims to prevent conflicts and local resistance that arise when large facilities for green energy production are built around the country. Researchers estimate that local resistance currently stops 10-15 percent of green energy projects.
A central element of this project is the use of citizens' assemblies, which are considered an effective way to allow citizens to discuss and weigh local interests and political issues. This model has been used in other political processes related to climate issues and may be the key to overcoming barriers to green energy.
"Citizens are not powerless; local groups can use social media and their network to fight a given project. Our goal is to identify the best way to facilitate positive dialogue between stakeholders," says Associate Professor and anthropologist Simon Westergaard Lex, who is leading the project.
Westergaard Lex emphasizes that the project is not just about risk management. "This project also aims to strengthen the democratic process through dialogue with citizens, local communities, and the political level. This gives the project a democratic perspective which hopefully can lead to better solutions," he adds.
The project, which runs from 2023 to 2026, is titled "The Danish Model for Citizen Engagement in the Transition to Renewable Energy" (DART) and has received DKK 7.5 million from Innovation Fund Denmark. It also involves researchers from the Departments of Political Science and Law, as well as several private companies working on Power-to-X projects.
By bringing together citizens, authorities, and private companies in constructive dialogue, the DART project hopes to create a model for the future green energy transition that can be used not only in Denmark, but also globally.