Influence of policy discourse networks on local energy transitions

Heike Brugger, Adam Douglas Henry

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Policy actions at the local level are key to reaching national and global climate and energy transition goals. This study seeks to understand the factors that explain variation in energy transition success at the local level, meaning the progress that local regions make to advance renewable energies as well as energy efficiency measures. This is done through the study of discourses that characterize the local policy processes surrounding the German energy transition. Discourses are conceptualized as infinite games, emphasizing the long-term and complex nature of transition processes. Research questions examine how local-level energy transitions are influenced by the content and the structure of the discourse and rural versus urban characteristics. Results from four regions show differences in discourse networks between rural and urban areas, as well as between more and less successful areas. Implications for the design of policies that affect the energy transition at the local level are explored.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)141-154
Number of pages14
JournalEnvironmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
Volume39
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2021

Keywords

  • Discourse network analysis
  • Energy policy
  • Energy transitions
  • Local governance
  • Policy process
  • Rural and urban comparison

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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