Amidst growing vocal opposition to ‘net zero’, the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee launched an Inquiry into Building support for the energy transition, in order to explore whether the government is effectively communicating the objectives and benefits of the transition
Marianne Brown (Communications and Community Engagement Manager, Bristol Energy Co-operative) and Dr Gareth Dale (BUoL) submitted written evidence making the case for using community energy projects to foster local ‘buy in’ to renewable energy. Community energy refers to people coming together in their local area to develop, own, or benefit from renewable energy projects and energy efficiency initiatives.
Drawing on case studies in Bristol, the South West, and London, their written evidence demonstrates that community energy projects can serve as a powerful tool to engage and involve the British public in the energy transition. These projects not only help reduce carbon emissions but create social and economic benefits that foster long-term commitment from communities.
They recommend that the government should incentivise the creation of community-led renewable energy cooperatives, where individuals invest in and benefit from local solar farms, wind turbines, and bioenergy facilities. They also suggest that Community energy’s political contribution to the net-zero transition is likely to carry greater force than its direct (or ‘economic’) contribution in terms of the renewables roll-out, so those commissioning such projects should consider the community buy in and political benefit and not just the direct contribution to net zero.