How do communities see a Just Transition to Net Zero?
- Funder: Scottish Universities Insight Institute
- Status: Completed. March 2021-May 2022
- Project lead: Tavis Potts
- Project team: Dr Rebecca Ford (University of Strathclyde), Dr David Toke (University of Aberdeen), Ms Alison Stuart (Aberdeen Climate Action)
- Project summary: The Northeast of Scotland is transitioning towards a low carbon future. In line with Scottish targets to achieve Net Zero, the North-East is repositioning itself as a hub for 'energy transition'. With the region home to global energy companies, the narrative on energy transition is often framed within an industrial and technological context, yet there is a need for a community-oriented perspective that discusses a range of social values and technical approaches.
- This project will help build a stronger consensus about the vision and pathways for civil society to progress a just transition in the Northeast. As the energy landscape shifts the impacts will be felt most keenly in communities. Hence it will bring together diverse civil society, academic, policy and business stakeholders across three interactive workshops to:
- 1. Examine concepts and advances in just transition and how they can be practically applied to North East communities.
- 2. Identify the narratives and values on just transition by communities and how these interplay with the wider energy system and can drive genuine change.
- 3. Enhance community agency in the energy system and create a platform for both behavioural and policy change to achieve net zero.
- Outputs: